Energy / Europe
Monitor Europe energy trends, electricity markets, supply pressure, regulation and regional resource dynamics.
Ditching a Heat Pump for In-Plaster Infrared Heating?!
Topic
Passive House Heating Solutions
Key insights
- The total electricity bill for the year was 196 pounds, which included 7,000 miles of driving.
- The self-built passive house utilizes a low voltage in-wall infrared heating system instead of a heat pump.
- A passive house is designed to be well insulated and airtight, requiring about 90% less energy for heating and cooling.
- The house features wood fiber insulation on the exterior and recycled newspaper insulation between the frames for improved airtightness.
- The heating system consists of carbon fleece plastered into the ceilings, providing infrared heating without visible radiators.
- The heat load for the house is around two kilowatts, making traditional heat pumps inefficient for this setup.
Perspectives
short
Proponents of Infrared Heating
- Highlight low electricity bill of 196 pounds for the year
- Emphasize efficiency of passive house design minimizing energy needs
- Argue that infrared heating system is innovative and effective
- Claim that carbon fleece heating is a viable alternative to heat pumps
- Propose that the system can be upgraded easily with additional fleece layers
Skeptics of Infrared Heating
- Question the effectiveness of heating systems placed too high
- Warn about potential energy requirements of direct electric systems
- Critique reliance on technology without backup solutions like batteries
Neutral / Shared
- Discuss the importance of good insulation and airtightness in passive houses
- Mention the role of mechanical ventilation for heat recovery
- Note the homeowners experience with energy management over a year
Metrics
electricity_bill
196 pounds GBP
total electricity bill for the year
Indicates the cost-effectiveness of the passive house's energy use.
Our total electricity bill for the year has been 196 pounds
driving_distance
7000 miles
miles driven in the car included in the electricity bill
included in that is 7,000 miles of driving the car
heat_load_kw
2 kilowatts kW
heat load for the passive house
the heat load on the house was probably going to be around two kilowatts
energy_reduction
90%
energy needed for heating and cooling compared to traditional homes
uses about 90% less energy for heating and cooling
hot_water_retention_days
about a week days
duration of hot water availability from the sun-amp system
This indicates the efficiency of the sun-amp system in retaining heat, reducing the need for frequent heating.
he said, about a week and I hope, well, you can't do that with a water system
capacity_mw
six MW
capacity of the solar array
A six-kilowatt capacity indicates a significant potential for renewable energy generation.
we have a six kilowatt array which should produce roughly six kilowatt hours of electricity any year
demand
six thousand kWh
estimated annual electricity requirement
Matching demand with supply from solar can lead to reduced energy costs.
we estimated that we'd have about six thousand kilowatt requirement for the year
other
196 GBP
total electricity bill for the year
A low annual bill reflects effective energy management and utilization of solar energy.
our total electricity bill for the year has been 196 pounds
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
The passive house's design minimizes energy needs, resulting in significantly lower heating costs and innovative heating solutions.
- The total electricity bill for the year was 196 pounds, which included 7,000 miles of driving.
- The self-built passive house utilizes a low voltage in-wall infrared heating system instead of a heat pump.
- A passive house is designed to be well insulated and airtight, requiring about 90% less energy for heating and cooling.
- The house features wood fiber insulation on the exterior and recycled newspaper insulation between the frames for improved airtightness.
- The heating system consists of carbon fleece plastered into the ceilings, providing infrared heating without visible radiators.
- The heat load for the house is around two kilowatts, making traditional heat pumps inefficient for this setup.
05:00–10:00
The integration of a sun-amp system allows for efficient hot water retention, enabling extended usage without maintenance, enhancing overall energy efficiency.
- The heating panel was initially placed too high, necessitating a more powerful panel lower down.
- A thin layer of fleece can be added to replace existing panels and upgrade heat output where needed.
- The dining room's middle section is crucial for effective heating, focusing on heating people and objects rather than just the air.
- The sun-amp system was chosen for hot water due to its efficiency and ability to retain heat for an extended period.
- The phase change material (PCM) in the sun-amp system allows for zero maintenance and compact installation.
- The heating system includes a transformer controlling thermal fleece across the property, with inputs from room thermostats.
10:00–15:00
The homeowners utilized a six-kilowatt solar array to meet their annual electricity needs, resulting in a low total electricity bill of 196 pounds, demonstrating effective energy management.
- The homeowners experienced five days without power after moving in and considered battery backup options.
- They discovered that their electricity supplier offers a seven-pence unit rate for overnight electricity and pays 15 pence per unit for solar energy.
- The tariffs help balance the grid, which the homeowners found beneficial beyond just reduced costs.
- They have a six-kilowatt solar array that matches their estimated annual electricity requirement of six thousand kilowatt-hours.
- Their total electricity bill for the year was only 196 pounds, which included charging their car for 7,000 miles.
- The homeowners enjoyed researching different solutions and were open to trying unconventional methods for energy efficiency.