Which heating system for a frame house is worth choosing?

Table of contents

• Energy efficiency of frame houses
• How to insulate a frame house?
• What heating system should be used for a frame house?
• What to pay attention to when choosing the type of heating for a frame house?

For several years, the construction of houses in the timber frame technology has been gaining more and more popularity. Compared to the traditional, brick construction method, frame houses (also known as Canadian houses) are primarily time saving in the implementation of the investment, which often also indirectly translates into financial savings. It is worth noting that investors appreciate frame houses because of their energy efficiency and ease of heating. However, how to insulate a frame house and how should this type of buildings be heated? We invite you to a short read.

Energy efficiency of frame houses

The vast majority of frame buildings should be considered as warm houses, which additionally accumulate this heat poorly. What is the reason for this? These are construction, insulation and insulation materials with very good indicators of thermal transmittance and energy consumption. Certainly, many people who plan to build a frame house wonder about future operating costs in terms of heating. The impact on energy consumption in frame houses will have:

• house area and volume – the more uniform the body, the lower the heat losses;
• ventilation losses – it is advisable to use mechanical ventilation with heat recovery;
• the method of insulating the frame house – polystyrene or wool, or maybe another material;
• the selected heating method.

If the design we choose has a simple and compact body, the most important thing to maintain the best energy efficiency indicators of frame houses will be the appropriate insulation and heating of the building.

How to insulate a frame house?

Wood is an excellent heat insulator, and additionally allows full flow of water vapour, which has a positive effect on maintaining a good microclimate inside the building. However, the wooden frame itself must be “supplemented” with something. It should be material:

• resistant to fire and very high temperatures;
• ensuring vapour permeability of walls, waterproof and non-absorbing moisture;
• tight, especially in areas of natural thermal bridges;
• resistant to noise, wind.

Mineral wool, including specialized non-flammable stone wool, which works best in the form of multi-layer ventilated walls, will best meet these types of requirements. Insulation with polystyrene is also possible, but more difficult, due to the high tightness of the material and the need to ensure an appropriate level of moisture drainage of the structure.

What heating system should be used for a frame house?

Another very important issue in maintaining the appropriate level of energy efficiency of a frame building is the installation of an appropriate heating source that will be effective, efficient and low-cost. What are the possible heating solutions in a frame house?

• solid fuel boiler – a traditional solution that will be effective only when using boilers with very high efficiency;
• gas heating – in the case of access to the network, modern gas furnaces will be safe and practically maintenance-free;
• electric heating – more expensive operating costs are offset by much lower investment costs. Photovoltaic panel power supply can further reduce these costs;
• heating with an air-to-water heat pump is one of the most efficient types of heating, especially in combination with mechanical ventilation and PV panels. It will be perfect for Polish climatic conditions. This is an ecological and low-cost solution (especially compared to old ground pumps).

What to pay attention to when choosing the type of heating for a frame house?

In addition to individual preferences and budget, the real demand for heat energy and the choice of the heat source that will be the most effective and economical should be taken into account. Adding to this the choice of appropriate insulation of the building, ventilation and a simple body of the building, you can get a fully energy-efficient frame house.