The matter with heating - air/air, air/water, or gas?

Hello everyone,

I have long been aware that heating is a complex topic. However, the fact that the individual providers have such different recommendations makes our confusion perfect.

We relatively quickly came to the following heating model - an air/water heat pump with controlled ventilation, supported by a photovoltaic system. Our arguments for this are as follows:

[*]No dependence on fossil fuels
[*]Low running costs thanks to the photovoltaic system
[*]Future-proof, because with underfloor heating in place, everything would be ready to switch to newer technologies in 25-30 years
[*]Living comfort due to even heat distribution in the floor

Yesterday we visited a provider who tried very hard to sell us an air/air heat pump, advertising it with high discounts. In addition, they stated that air/water heat pumps are actually no longer current and that air/air heat pumps are basically the best on the market.
Strangely enough, the provider also offers air/water heat pumps.
What do you think about that statement?
According to my previous research, I have experienced the opposite and found rather negative things about air/air heat pumps.

We were also made aware of the "noise" of an air/water heat pump. We actually do not want a split unit but a single device that would stand in the basement. At the moment, I cannot imagine that this would cause noise disturbance there.
Does anyone have experience with heating using an air/water heat pump?

Furthermore, there is also the option of a gas condensing boiler (including underfloor heating) for us. At first we rejected it right away, but in the meantime it seems interesting to us due to the lower investment costs. Is there anyone who has built with it and can say a little about it?

In the end, it probably depends on how well the house is insulated anyway, but some kind of heating has to go in, and you want to choose the "right" one...

Many thanks in advance.

What kind of house are you building? For example, a passive house, then preferably an air-to-air heat pump. What is the price difference compared to gas (including laying the gas connection, chimney) - possibly consider [BAFA funding] for the heat pump. Can you comply with the energy saving ordinance with gas alone or do you still need a solar thermal system for the controlled residential ventilation (cost!)?

Many food for thought for you...
... and there are many more points that can be taken into account!
Most of the answers you get to your questions will probably be positive for the air-to-air heat pump, the air-to-water heat pump, as well as for gas – because the heating system was chosen to suit the building. For example, we do not use any of the mentioned heating systems, but heat with geothermal energy. Very well suited for us and our house.

Hi herann,

we have a combination air-water heat pump (Tecalor THZ304 eco), which is located in the utility room on the ground floor. It is quite loud when operating, but when you close the door you only hear a quiet humming, which I do not find disturbing. Upstairs in the bedrooms, you don't hear anything at all. If the system is installed in your basement, it probably won't bother you at all.

So far we are very satisfied, but we have only lived in the house for 4 months and therefore have no long-term experience yet.

As already written before me, the heating must fit the house... so more data would be needed

Otherwise, in a house in Spain, air/air is great or also in an almost PH here... otherwise, in a standard house it's rather semi-optimal... the seller of course has to get rid of what brings him the most profit...

In the end, it probably depends on how well the house is insulated anyway, but some kind of heating has to be installed, and you want to choose the "right" one...

But you can hardly decide that as a layperson. The forum, or rather its users, can give you tips on which choice they made for their construction project, but that does not mean it would be the right decision for you. Arrange an appointment at an energy agency near you and get informed on site about the functionalities of individual technologies. If you leave this conversation with a good gut feeling, discuss it with your energy expert and see which technology suits your gut, but above all your construction project ;) Rhenish greetings

Hello everyone,

thanks first of all for the answers.
Briefly about the house: single-family house, about 150sqm + basement, Kfw70 in the Stuttgart metropolitan area.

A meeting at the energy consulting center is already planned.
I am especially interested in your view on the seller's statements, which had made me quite uncertain.

Thanks!