New house build - Luxembourg
Discussion
Heating latest: supplier didn't come back on the large invoice I dispted and refused to pay, so I trust they recovered the cost from the manufacturer....
BUT... switched the heating on again this week and the f
king thing's not working properly AGAIN! 
My wife called them, engineer came yesterday, and apparently one part of the system wasn't communciating with the other, so no UFH. It's all sorted now, but that'll probably cost me another €250-300 as their call out time / distance is €160 (s!), and then the service cost next month will be around €500.
I won't be using that company again ... so, LLA, IF you build in Lux, stay away from Genista for plumbing and heating, if you have a choice.
New service contract to be investifated with the local specialist, Gabbana. (Not "Dolce &")
BUT... switched the heating on again this week and the f
king thing's not working properly AGAIN! My wife called them, engineer came yesterday, and apparently one part of the system wasn't communciating with the other, so no UFH. It's all sorted now, but that'll probably cost me another €250-300 as their call out time / distance is €160 (
s!), and then the service cost next month will be around €500.I won't be using that company again ... so, LLA, IF you build in Lux, stay away from Genista for plumbing and heating, if you have a choice.
New service contract to be investifated with the local specialist, Gabbana. (Not "Dolce &")
RC1807 said:
Heating latest: supplier didn't come back on the large invoice I dispted and refused to pay, so I trust they recovered the cost from the manufacturer....
BUT... switched the heating on again this week and the fking thing's not working properly AGAIN!
My wife called them, engineer came yesterday, and apparently one part of the system wasn't communciating with the other, so no UFH. It's all sorted now, but that'll probably cost me another €250-300 as their call out time / distance is €160 (s!), and then the service cost next month will be around €500.
I won't be using that company again ... so, LLA, IF you build in Lux, stay away from Genista for plumbing and heating, if you have a choice.
New service contract to be investifated with the local specialist, Gabbana. (Not "Dolce &")
Noted! BUT... switched the heating on again this week and the f
king thing's not working properly AGAIN! My wife called them, engineer came yesterday, and apparently one part of the system wasn't communciating with the other, so no UFH. It's all sorted now, but that'll probably cost me another €250-300 as their call out time / distance is €160 (
s!), and then the service cost next month will be around €500.I won't be using that company again ... so, LLA, IF you build in Lux, stay away from Genista for plumbing and heating, if you have a choice.
New service contract to be investifated with the local specialist, Gabbana. (Not "Dolce &")
RC1807 said:
Heating latest: supplier didn't come back on the large invoice I dispted and refused to pay, so I trust they recovered the cost from the manufacturer....
BUT... switched the heating on again this week and the fking thing's not working properly AGAIN!
My wife called them, engineer came yesterday, and apparently one part of the system wasn't communciating with the other, so no UFH. It's all sorted now, but that'll probably cost me another €250-300 as their call out time / distance is €160 (s!), and then the service cost next month will be around €500.
I won't be using that company again ... so, LLA, IF you build in Lux, stay away from Genista for plumbing and heating, if you have a choice.
New service contract to be investifated with the local specialist, Gabbana. (Not "Dolce &")
This would annoy me beyond belief, buying a brand new house you expect snagging niggles but not hardware reliability woes this early on, especially with heating system, the absolute one area you want reliability! (Well, that and running water)BUT... switched the heating on again this week and the f
king thing's not working properly AGAIN! My wife called them, engineer came yesterday, and apparently one part of the system wasn't communciating with the other, so no UFH. It's all sorted now, but that'll probably cost me another €250-300 as their call out time / distance is €160 (
s!), and then the service cost next month will be around €500.I won't be using that company again ... so, LLA, IF you build in Lux, stay away from Genista for plumbing and heating, if you have a choice.
New service contract to be investifated with the local specialist, Gabbana. (Not "Dolce &")
Hope the new firm are better mate, our air source system ufh system just about to go in so fingers x
Pvapour said:
Still watching russel
Beleive it or not ours is just about to finish! Looking forward to re-opening thread and bringing to conclusion
Hey Nick! Beleive it or not ours is just about to finish! Looking forward to re-opening thread and bringing to conclusion
Would love to see more pics of your places, please.
Now our girls are older, and can be left home alone, I'd like to blat across France to stay in one of your places for a few days, probably next year.
Been in the house for more than 5 years now, so the walls can do with repaintinng. Colour cards picked up last weekened so we can have a look.
We know our girls (now 16 & 18) want some "colour" in their rooms, the entire house being painted in the lightest shade of grey (almost white). I'll get some pros in to do it, as it'll only take them 10 days, top to bottom.
The bain of our lives, the heating system, finally received its annual service a few weeks ago. The 1st time the techy came out, he hadn't been given any of the service parts, so left again. Why didn't he check his parts / appts list before setting off for the day? 2nd appt they cried off as it was snowing and he was stuck in traffic. 3rd time lucky, then.... All OK!
Electricity consumption seems to have evened out, so the bi-monthly DD can be set more correctly. I received a whopping €30 DD rebate for 2018 today.
Other than that, we'll be working a bit more in the garden this year. A tree we'd planted died this winter, so we're lookinjg for another more esatblished one to replace it.
Some more houses have gone up around us, and a group of 4 at the front to the left had a fire in one under construction a few months ago, so part of it's been demolished to be rebuilt! I'll see if I can post the iPhone pics later... it's a bit of a mess there!
We know our girls (now 16 & 18) want some "colour" in their rooms, the entire house being painted in the lightest shade of grey (almost white). I'll get some pros in to do it, as it'll only take them 10 days, top to bottom.
The bain of our lives, the heating system, finally received its annual service a few weeks ago. The 1st time the techy came out, he hadn't been given any of the service parts, so left again. Why didn't he check his parts / appts list before setting off for the day? 2nd appt they cried off as it was snowing and he was stuck in traffic. 3rd time lucky, then.... All OK!
Electricity consumption seems to have evened out, so the bi-monthly DD can be set more correctly. I received a whopping €30 DD rebate for 2018 today.
Other than that, we'll be working a bit more in the garden this year. A tree we'd planted died this winter, so we're lookinjg for another more esatblished one to replace it.
Some more houses have gone up around us, and a group of 4 at the front to the left had a fire in one under construction a few months ago, so part of it's been demolished to be rebuilt! I'll see if I can post the iPhone pics later... it's a bit of a mess there!
Missed the updates last year re issues with UFH.
There is no way you should have to pay for compressor failure within five years.
I am also very dubious about maintenance contracts for underfloor hot water heat pump systems - it's a scam. There is nothing to do that will prevent failure.
Perhaps the anti freeze will need changing every few years - but I would expect suppliers to put long lasting stuff in
Post up some pics of the outdoor unit and other parts and I may be able to assist.
I've put in a few hundred UFH systems with an air sourced hot water heat pump, we don't do maintenance as there is nothing to maintain.
Also suggest you change your own filters for heat recovery system - they only cost a few pounds/euros to run each month as there are only two small fans.
There is no way you should have to pay for compressor failure within five years.
I am also very dubious about maintenance contracts for underfloor hot water heat pump systems - it's a scam. There is nothing to do that will prevent failure.
Perhaps the anti freeze will need changing every few years - but I would expect suppliers to put long lasting stuff in
Post up some pics of the outdoor unit and other parts and I may be able to assist.
I've put in a few hundred UFH systems with an air sourced hot water heat pump, we don't do maintenance as there is nothing to maintain.
Also suggest you change your own filters for heat recovery system - they only cost a few pounds/euros to run each month as there are only two small fans.
RC1807 said:
Some more houses have gone up around us, and a group of 4 at the front to the left had a fire in one under construction a few months ago, so part of it's been demolished to be rebuilt! I'll see if I can post the iPhone pics later... it's a bit of a mess there!
Seems to be more common in Lux than UK. They don't seem to have the same levels of site maintenance, quite often see piles of random crap lying about. The fact that construction in Lux seems to go along the lines of 'do a bit of work then disappear for a month or so before continuing' might have something to do with this.This was from when the block across from us was under construction.
Wow!
Let’s see if this posts correctly
You can see where the blocks have been peeled apart to remove the melted part of the polystyrene blocks and the concrete floor above the garage, and they spent DAYS demolishing the reinforced concrete!
It caught fire above the garage, in what is the hobby room and heating/laundry rooms
Let’s see if this posts correctly
You can see where the blocks have been peeled apart to remove the melted part of the polystyrene blocks and the concrete floor above the garage, and they spent DAYS demolishing the reinforced concrete!
It caught fire above the garage, in what is the hobby room and heating/laundry rooms
Edited by RC1807 on Tuesday 12th March 10:31
Edited by RC1807 on Tuesday 12th March 10:32
We're looking at a place in Canach, roughly at the same stage as yours was at the start of this thread, although it has a roof and windows at this point. Think the previous buyer had to back out so it's been sitting for a few months and they're looking for someone to take it on. Currently staring at the figures and weeping gently.
It will have an air-source heat pump and MVHR though and I was wary of the woes you've had.
The house is a 4-bed over three floors with a bit of an atrium so I'd hope the air should circulate quite efficiently with the heat recovery/ventilation set on minimum. In our current place I keep ours on the lowest setting for the noise reduction as much as the electricity cost. The difference between lowest and highest is only something like €300 a year though so I'm guessing your unwelcome cost comes from running the heat pump. We have gas so can't really compare.
Was it the compressor in the heat pump that failed? The architect said we can specify the brand if we like, what should I be avoiding?
It will have an air-source heat pump and MVHR though and I was wary of the woes you've had.
The house is a 4-bed over three floors with a bit of an atrium so I'd hope the air should circulate quite efficiently with the heat recovery/ventilation set on minimum. In our current place I keep ours on the lowest setting for the noise reduction as much as the electricity cost. The difference between lowest and highest is only something like €300 a year though so I'm guessing your unwelcome cost comes from running the heat pump. We have gas so can't really compare.
Was it the compressor in the heat pump that failed? The architect said we can specify the brand if we like, what should I be avoiding?
Edited by loudlashadjuster on Sunday 16th June 10:35
Hi
That’s an interesting stage to be buying a property, but you will get to choose everything that goes in.
Yes, it was the compressor that failed. I can’t remember the make of our machine - currently at Le Mans.
(Genista / Sanichauffer sent me a reminder to pay their €3.5k bill. FFS! I sent it to the after sales guy at Giorgetti with a “WTF?!” message. He’s taken it up with them; I had sent Genista a registered letter a year ago to reject their bill, telling them to go to the manufacturer.)
That’s an interesting stage to be buying a property, but you will get to choose everything that goes in.
Yes, it was the compressor that failed. I can’t remember the make of our machine - currently at Le Mans.
(Genista / Sanichauffer sent me a reminder to pay their €3.5k bill. FFS! I sent it to the after sales guy at Giorgetti with a “WTF?!” message. He’s taken it up with them; I had sent Genista a registered letter a year ago to reject their bill, telling them to go to the manufacturer.)
We've put in an offer...I think. The figures are all a bit *hand wavey* but the bank seems happy enough. In % terms considering the cost of the house the "unknown" part is relatively small, but it could still be five figures of a difference once the VAT and rebates are all figured in.
Weird way to buy a house if you're used to the UK, but I guess people here are used to it. If we end up buying it I'll start my own thread and leave yours alone
Weird way to buy a house if you're used to the UK, but I guess people here are used to it. If we end up buying it I'll start my own thread and leave yours alone
Yes, it is different, I agree - but in a very positive way.
It means people don't waste time hanging around in chains that risk being broken. There are no stupid penalties like +10% for bridging loans.... e.g., I borrowed almost EUR1m against my prior house to buy and finish our place, a large chunk of which was offset when the notary acte was completed, and then paid to my mortgage a/c to cover the scary looking DR balance!
Banks don't waste time with mortgage offers. I think perhaps the slowest might be BCEE, but that's because it's state owned and everything is done by committees, but even then, it's only a few weeks from request to letter confirming credit is available. You'll be in front of the notary before you know it!
(I can't recall how long it took me to get the VAT rebate, buying an already part built place .... maybe 3-4 months?)
For the heating system, you asked which make we have: WEISHAUPT
(I'm not entirely convinced the engineer didn't break something when he was servicing it, as he broke something else while he was in there.
Still waiting to hear back about their pending EUR3,500 invoice!)
I look forward to your build thread, LLJ.... don't forget to add it to the Build WIKI on the section homepage.
It means people don't waste time hanging around in chains that risk being broken. There are no stupid penalties like +10% for bridging loans.... e.g., I borrowed almost EUR1m against my prior house to buy and finish our place, a large chunk of which was offset when the notary acte was completed, and then paid to my mortgage a/c to cover the scary looking DR balance!
Banks don't waste time with mortgage offers. I think perhaps the slowest might be BCEE, but that's because it's state owned and everything is done by committees, but even then, it's only a few weeks from request to letter confirming credit is available. You'll be in front of the notary before you know it!
(I can't recall how long it took me to get the VAT rebate, buying an already part built place .... maybe 3-4 months?)
For the heating system, you asked which make we have: WEISHAUPT
(I'm not entirely convinced the engineer didn't break something when he was servicing it, as he broke something else while he was in there.
Still waiting to hear back about their pending EUR3,500 invoice!)
I look forward to your build thread, LLJ.... don't forget to add it to the Build WIKI on the section homepage.
caziques said:
Missed the updates last year re issues with UFH.
There is no way you should have to pay for compressor failure within five years.
I am also very dubious about maintenance contracts for underfloor hot water heat pump systems - it's a scam. There is nothing to do that will prevent failure.
Perhaps the anti freeze will need changing every few years - but I would expect suppliers to put long lasting stuff in
Post up some pics of the outdoor unit and other parts and I may be able to assist.
I've put in a few hundred UFH systems with an air sourced hot water heat pump, we don't do maintenance as there is nothing to maintain.
Also suggest you change your own filters for heat recovery system - they only cost a few pounds/euros to run each month as there are only two small fans.
Apologies - I must have missed this along the way. Thanks for your commments.There is no way you should have to pay for compressor failure within five years.
I am also very dubious about maintenance contracts for underfloor hot water heat pump systems - it's a scam. There is nothing to do that will prevent failure.
Perhaps the anti freeze will need changing every few years - but I would expect suppliers to put long lasting stuff in
Post up some pics of the outdoor unit and other parts and I may be able to assist.
I've put in a few hundred UFH systems with an air sourced hot water heat pump, we don't do maintenance as there is nothing to maintain.
Also suggest you change your own filters for heat recovery system - they only cost a few pounds/euros to run each month as there are only two small fans.
I will take some pics and post them up. We need all the help we can get.
The heating system really is the bain of my life here. Each time a techy comes out it’s the best part of €150 or so before he’s even lifted a spanner or screwdriver.
We had problems with the hot water recently. Taps or showers ran for ages before any hot water came out. Called the techy. He did some “reset” bulls
t, and nothing changed. €150 paid to anyway....Came back from holiday and the solar panel screen is flashing red. Called out the from Genista again. Different guy came than last time. My wife said about the hot water issue. The hot water filter was blocked! Last guy didn’t look at that.
w
ker. Filter unblocked, instant hot water when the tap is turned on.
However, we’ve wasted hundreds and hundreds of litres of cold water in the meantime.
As to the solar panel warning, some part needs to be ordered....FFS, another bill in the offing.
Let’s hope it’s the same techy comes again next time as maybe he knows WTF he’s doing?
Meanwhile, Genista continue to chase me for the compressor replacement bill, all €3,500 or so of it. I keep telling them to take it up with Weishaupt; I’m not paying them. They ignored my registered letter over 18 months ago, and my subsequent phone calls and emails. f
k ‘em.The after sales guy at the main construction company told them the same thing: Weishaupt can pay or Genista suck it up. They’ve had more than enough money from me.
I wish we’d been allowed gas heating as we simply don’t understand what we have, and we don’t seem to be alone there from what we see of the techies.
Other than that, I spent most of yesterday trimming the border beech hedge. It was blood hot and I’ve been struggling with a head cold for days, but wanted to be outside doing *something*. I ache all over today.
Sat on the patio enjoying a hot, still quiet day.
There are advantages to having by-laws that prohibit grass cutting on Sundays.
Cheers!
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