Blog series part 12 – Home Construction – Heating Systems

Heating a new house: How to choose the right system

Choosing the right heating system is one of the most important decisions you will make for a new home. It directly affects the comfort, energy efficiency, and operational costs of your house. In this article, we will analyze the most popular heating systems, exploring heat energy sources, distribution systems, and potential combinations.

1. What Heating Systems Are Available?

A heating system consists of two primary components:

  • Heat energy source: Produces the required heat.
  • Distribution system: Distributes heat within the house.

Heat Energy Sources

The most common sources are:

  • Heat pump: Provides both heating and cooling.
  • Gas or LPG boiler: Provides heating and domestic hot water.
  • Oil or biomass boiler: Provides heating only.

Image 1: Sources of Thermal Energy – Heat Pump (1), Gas Boiler (2), Oil Boiler (3)

Distribution Systems

  • Radiators: A traditional heating solution.
  • Fan coils: Offer heating and cooling with room-by-room autonomy.
  • Underfloor heating: Ensures uniform heating and can also provide cooling.

Image 2: Heat Distribution Systems – Radiator Network (1), Exposed Fan Coil (2), Underfloor Heating (3)

2. What Combinations Can Be Made?

Depending on your needs, various combinations of heat sources and distribution systems are possible. Let’s look at the characteristics and advantages of each:

Heat Pump with Radiators

Description: The heat pump extracts heat from the external air (or ground or water) and transfers it inside. When combined with radiators, the water temperature must reach high levels (75-90°C) to heat the space adequately.

  • Advantages:
    • While heat pumps perform better with low-temperature systems (e.g., underfloor heating), high-temperature heat pumps can be used with radiators.
    • Energy savings compared to traditional heating systems (e.g., gas or oil boilers).
  • Disadvantages:
    • Most heat pumps cannot produce water above 60°C, which may not suffice for radiators.
    • High-temperature heat pumps are more expensive, increasing initial installation costs.

Heat Pump with Fan Coils

Description: Fan coil systems use heat exchangers and fans to transfer heat to the space. This combination supports both heating and cooling, making it especially popular for integrated climate control systems.

  • Advantages:
    • The best combination for heating and cooling with a single energy source.
    • Quick temperature adjustments, as the system can promptly adapt to room needs.
    • Good energy efficiency due to the heat pump and user-friendly fan coils.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Less discreet, as fan coils are usually mounted on walls or ceilings and may not suit all aesthetic preferences.
    • Cooling performance is not as strong as a dedicated air conditioner.

Heat Pump with Underfloor Heating

Description: In this system, water pipes run beneath the floor, allowing underfloor heating to distribute heat evenly across the space.

  • Advantages:
    • Ideal for energy efficiency, as water temperature can be low (30-45°C), perfectly matching heat pump capabilities.
    • Provides uniform heating, enhancing comfort.
    • Can also provide cooling in summer if installed with this feature.
  • Disadvantages:
    • High initial installation costs.
    • Additional cooling systems may be required in regions with hot summers.

Gas or LPG Boiler with Radiators

Description: A gas boiler produces hot water, which circulates through radiators to heat the home. It is one of the most common heating solutions, especially in areas with a natural gas supply.

  • Advantages:
    • Ideal for areas with easy and economical access to natural gas.
    • Reliable and efficient heating with quick response and easy control.
    • On-demand domestic hot water production.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Installation requires more space and higher costs for connection to the gas network.
    • Cannot provide cooling.

Gas or LPG Boiler with Fan Coils

Description: In this combination, the boiler produces hot water, distributed through fan coils for heating.

  • Advantages:
    • Ideal for quick heating and efficient heat distribution.
    • Easy installation and relatively low cost.
    • On-demand domestic hot water production.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Does not provide cooling, unlike fan coils paired with a heat pump.

Gas or LPG Boiler with Underfloor Heating

Description: In this case, the boiler supplies hot water, which circulates through pipes under the floor, offering uniform and comfortable heating.

  • Advantages:
    • Rapid heating response with comfortable heat distribution, avoiding “hot spots” typical of radiators.
    • Requires minimal space for system placement.
    • On-demand domestic hot water production.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Gas boilers may be less energy-efficient compared to heat pumps, especially in colder regions.

It is important to note that the principles applicable to gas boilers also apply to oil or biomass boilers. These three types of boilers share common characteristics in their operation and require the installation of radiators or underfloor heating for efficient heat distribution. However, while gas boilers offer the advantage of easy connection to a gas network, oil and biomass boilers require fuel storage and may have higher operating costs due to fuel prices. Additionally, only gas boilers provide the option for on-demand hot water production.

3. Which System Offers the Best Combination of Heating and Cooling?

The heat pump with fan coils is the ideal combination for heating and cooling because:

  • It operates efficiently throughout all seasons.
  • Provides room-by-room autonomy.
  • Delivers high energy efficiency.

4. What Is Room-by-Room Autonomy, and Why Is It Important?

Room-by-room autonomy means you can control the temperature in each room separately. This is important because:

  • It allows energy savings by heating/cooling only the rooms you use.
  • Increases comfort, as each family member can adjust the temperature according to their preferences.

Fan coil systems and underfloor heating with zoning support room autonomy.

 

5. Shouldn’t This Be Done at an Earlier Construction Stage?

Many of you may wonder why it’s necessary to wait until windows and doors are installed before proceeding with the heating system installation. There’s a specific logic behind this decision, which I will explain below.

If you choose to install radiators or fan coils, the installation can occur earlier, even if the house is not fully enclosed. However, in the case of underfloor heating, it is critical that the house is enclosed and protected from external conditions.

This is due to the process involved in underfloor heating: the pipes are covered with thermoconcrete, a special mixture of sand and cement. If the house is open during this phase, air can dry the surface of the mixture quickly while the interior remains damp. This creates internal stresses, often leading to cracks.

These cracks are not just a cosmetic issue but can also affect the system’s functionality, as uniform heat distribution depends on the integrity of the coating. Proper curing requires stable humidity levels and no sudden changes in temperature or airflow.

To avoid these problems and ensure the maximum performance of the underfloor heating system, it’s essential that the house is enclosed and protected when the thermoconcrete is laid. This ensures the system’s durability and efficiency for years to come.

In conclusion, if you plan to install underfloor heating, ensure that windows and doors are installed first. It’s a small delay worth the effort to guarantee a high-performing and durable heating system.

 

 

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