New Build - Heating System advice

Cheney

Hi All,
I am hopefully due to receive planning permission in a few weeks time in Co. Galway for a single story / bungalow house which will be approx. 2,300 sq feet in size. So in 2-3 months time, I should be able to go out to Builders looking for prices. One thing I admit I need to look into asap is the heating system, I know little enough about the modern set-ups that are in place these days.

Would anyone be able to give a quick overview of the different options for the modern building regulations ? And would one system suit a single story of that size better than others ? My other half is keen to avoid Rads although they wouldn't really bother me. So, if we were to go with UFH, would oil or A2W be better ? How does MHRV link in with your heating system ? We will be coming from a 3 bed semi-D that has oil and Rads so hence the limited knowledge.

Some other points to mention :
- The site is slightly elevated and the rear is mostly south facing so should get good sunshine exposure.
- We do like opening windows for fresh air. Even in winter, my other half nearly always opens windows for a while in the mornings. This may not be relevant ?
- We plan on having a wood-burning stove in a living room off the kitchen.
- We don't like stuffy houses. I've been in some recent new builds over the summer and have found the heat and stuffiness very uncomfortable .Is this due to too much insulation ?
- A relation who works in construction is recommending to stay with oil and Rads and put in good levels of insulation. He says the gain from A2W is overstated and UFH is very slow to react to changes in temp (ie say its off for a few weeks in the summer and a cold evening comes along, it would be very slow to get temp up again ?) If we were to go with oil, does some element of Solar have to be included then to meet the Regs ?

Thanks for any advice any Board members can share.

B-D-P--

The reason you have no replies here, is we have covered this topic 100 times over.
Do a little digging on this site, you'll find the info your looking for.

Calahonda52

B-D-P-- wrote: »

The reason you have no replies here, is we have covered this topic 100 times over.
Do a little digging on this site, you'll find the info your looking for.

+1
in addition, OP, you need to update the figures used in this thread:
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=100951823
to make sure you can build within your resources and not end up being lectured to as this poster thought here
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057903609

what RE is in the Planning application?

mike_2009

Right now houses don't require assisted ventilation, just trickle so that's why you might find new houses stuffy. I'd recommend asking around and visiting a few more low energy houses or a Passive House if you can to experience it for yourself and gauge if that's something attractive or not. There's a Self Build show in Citywest next month where you can talk to experts and get some ideas, might be worth spending the day there?
The key with choosing the heating system is matching it with the house, insulation levels and ventilation all play a part. The official DEAP package ticks the Government boxes but doesn't guarantee a comfortable house, which is what you've experienced perhaps yourself. There are other standards available - I'll ping you a few ideas by PM. Two houses side by side can seem the same but have a whole different experience inside them.

Markcheese

If youre not having radiators you're kinda stuck with either underfloor or air to air heatpump,

Calahonda52

Markcheese wrote: »

If youre not having radiators you're kinda stuck with either underfloor or air to air heatpump,

or MHRV with an inline elec heater and for those humid summer days, a cooling coil.
Of course this requires a serious understanding of air tightness

sydthebeat

Markcheese wrote: »

If youre not having radiators you're kinda stuck with either underfloor or air to air heatpump,

or a certified passive house

sydthebeat

Calahonda52 wrote: »

or MHRV with an inline elec heater and for those humid summer days, a cooling coil.
Of course this requires a serious understanding of air tightness

would want to be doing that under 'passive certed' get out clause...

cos it wouldnt come anywhere near to complying with DEAP requirements under building regs.

Calahonda52

sydthebeat wrote: »

would want to be doing that under 'passive certed' get out clause...

cos it wouldnt come anywhere near to complying with DEAP requirements under building regs.

Agreed

See post 4 here:
Op suggests they are using elec heaters and the MHVR to circulate
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057861288