Building Passive Houses: An Evolution

Obtaining a good energy rating in a building or home requires compliance with “strict and rigorous” requirements as far as energy efficiency parameters are concerned. Since, otherwise, we will remain in an average or “standard” rating. We offer industry’s best products and services for Civil Works Contractors.

Qualification Requirements for Energy Efficient Building

For example, for buildings that merely meet the requirements of the Technical Building Code, it will fluctuate, and obviously, in order to pass said qualification, improvement required in many aspects, not only in terms of the composition of the thermal refers.

For An Efficient Home

For a home to be as efficient as possible, in the case of newly built buildings, it is necessary for the designer to go beyond the Technical Code itself, bringing the conception of its design closer to what we conceptually called a “passive house”, and by imposing concepts of bioclimates. Some basic aspects should try to optimize to the maximum.

Yes, always assessing their technical and can achieve economic feasibility based on the energy savings. Since the cost of the investment necessary for this case It is far superior to that of a “standard home”.

First Aspect; Efficient Design

The most efficient design will be the one that allows to reduce the building’s energy demand to the maximum. For which require an adequate orientation of the building. A reduction of the surface of the envelope, an adequate percentage of optimal holes in each façade according to orientation, etc… Always trying to adapt it according to the climatic characteristics of the area.

Bioclimatic Design

We are talking about what we commonly known as bioclimatic design, but the question that arises is.: Is it always feasible to implement this type of design in any property?  Obviously NO, because in many cases our building must adjust to a site with an orientation.

Proper Orientation of Building

We cannot rotate our building to give it the proper orientation, nor can we project holes in an alignment that according to planning must be a dividing wall, nor can we prevent them from certain obstacles cast a shadow on us if we talk about adjoining buildings.

Pre-Established Design and Orientation

Everything in these factors and especially if we are dealing with a building between party walls. They will be pre-established so that already conditioned by the designer. Another very different case would be if the building is not between party walls. Or that of an isolated single-family home where the designer has many possibilities in terms of design and orientation.

Improvement Of Energy Efficiency

In these cases, there is greater versatility in the design and its optimization is easier in search of a reduction in demand and improvement of energy efficiency.

As a consequence of the foregoing, only one reflection arises. If we are looking for a designer to design an efficient building. Shouldn’t we start from an efficient and sustainable prior planning? That is, from an urban planning that considers the position of some buildings with others.

Creation Of Green Areas

Depending on the orientation and the width of the streets to avoid or minimize the shadows thrown. Which proposes the creation of certain intermediate spaces or green areas and of course with the necessary infrastructure.

Projection Of Buildings

That allows to reuse the projection of buildings. And make the most of natural resources. As well as that they can integrate. And adapted to the environment and climate of the area to achieve said design that reduces energy demands.

To Optimize the Construction Systems

On the other hand, I would like to refer to the construction systems of the envelope itself that must optimize. To allow the comfort conditions inside it to maintain for as long as possible throughout the year. Thus, reducing its energy consumption, for which would advocate creating the most organic envelopes possible.

That is, construction systems through facades or green or landscaped roofs. Given the important function that these plant species perform by regulating the conditions of temperature. And environmental humidity and in the same way other passive systems. Such as solar chimneys, Canadian wells, glazed greenhouses, Trombe walls, etc. That will allow us to achieve said comfort without any type of energy contribution.

Second Aspect: Energy Self-Sufficiency with Clean Energy

Once the designer has optimized the design of your building and reduced its energy demand as much as possible, you should consider reducing its energy consumption, for which you can choose to cover these energy demands with renewable energy systems and complement them with others.

Heating, Cooling and Even Efficient Lighting Equipment

ACS equipment, or for example with aerothermal heating, cooling and even efficient lighting equipment or that reduce their emissions and minimize the impact on the environment.

Implementation Of Solar Thermal Energy

Currently, as far as renewables are concerned, the Technical Code requires the implementation of solar thermal energy. For sanitary hot water for residential buildings or single-family homes (See news of the Technical Code). However, to raise or improve our rating we must continue for the previously mentioned path of going further.

Passive Houses with Clean Energy

Looking for the path of passive houses by implementing other sources of renewable energy. Such as photovoltaic solar panels, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass, or with hybrid systems. Trying to make our building self-sufficient with clean energy.

Evolve Towards Sustainable Building Model

The main obstacle that we would find when wanting to change or “evolve” towards this more sustainable building model. This would be that in our country the existing legislative framework in relation to renewable energy and self-consumption does not help the owner. Who intends to implement this type of installation at all?

Obstacles For Self-Sufficiency

For its self-sufficiency and puts too many obstacles, taxes, and bureaucratic obstacles for it. But this is another topic that I do not intend to deal. Although I do not want to ignore it either. And now I invite you to reflect on the following questions:

Do you consider that it is necessary to evolve in the design of buildings towards a more efficient type of building that encompasses all or some of the precepts of a passive house?

Conclusions:

The substitution and/or elimination of the equipment that currently covers the energy needs of our buildings. With others that work with alternative or clean energies may seem something “utopian” or at least far on the horizon. But it will be a way to go if we want to. improve the energy efficiency of the buildings we build.

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