energy efficient housing |
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some simple figures to answer |
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The thermal demand over ten years for an average size 3-bedroom house sums up to app. £ 26,500.00 the equivalent for a modern 5-litre house: £ 5,300.00 The difference results in savings of plus £ 21,200.00 and CO2 reduction of minus 104 tons CO2 as reducing fossil fuel consumption is naturally followed by reducing emissions the modern 5-litre house causes considerably less pollution. In his report Sir Nicolas Stern assumed that one ton of CO2 causes damage worth at least $ 85.00, i.e. app. £ 42.00, based on today's rates. According to his thesis not emitting 104 tons of CO2 will avoid damage worth some £ 4,300.00. By the way, Switzerland has just announced a penalty/fee/tax on CO2 emissions, which adds up to 12 Franken, i.e.£ 5.00, per ton. Certainly less than Sir Stern suggests, but a noticeable beginning; should you be interested in reading the Swiss Government's note see here, please (sorry, in German, only). |
How is this calculated? You can download the spreadsheets and alter the conditions... £ CO2 The above two links will open into an excel file, each. remarks In both files you will be able to alter some data like floor space in sqm (sqft will be calculated) price of heating oil/litre rate of general inflation and a rate for the increase of energy prices Thus you will be able to test yourself. Have fun! Any questions? Any time!  |
 design follows function |
In this case the
design clearly reveals its purpose: taking in what the sun has to offer |
energy efficiency needs to eliminate losses, |
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There are many terms and phrases used nowadays in order to describe the efficiency of a building/home; generally they all have the above headline in common based on different levels of efficiency which is expressed by setting energy consumption standards. So talking about the different categories clearly needs one to know figures, formulas and conversion factors. None of the terms really take into account the fact that building materials, processes, handling, treatment, transports, etc. and even the possible recycling of the materials do and will consume a total of energy hardly neglectable in an overall energy and emission balance. Yet, all the above is part of the overall footprint of the anthro(po)sphere. |
When talking and/or discussing the different terms and phrases some basic knowledge is essential. CO2 and friends |
"X"-litre house |
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By definition the term "x-litre-house" refers to the energy content of "x" litres of heating oil per square metre living area which is needed for heating and ventilating the house during one year. Of course, the actual consumption depends on individual heating and ventilation preferences and it is also directly related to planning, the orientation and position of the house and the applied heating and ventilation equipment used. The "5 litre house" is becoming the popular European standard; a 100sqm house will need the equivalent energy of 500 litres of heating oil per year. The ultimate aim is to design the "Passive House" which takes advantage of the sun and the heat generated naturally by the inhabitants; it lacks conventional heating systems and is the natural progression from the Low-Energy-House as described above. |
"x"-litre of heating oil is used as a known and plain way to illustrate the consumption; of course, you might as well calculate in kWh or litres of LPG. |
low energy house |
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It should not consume more energy than 70kWh/(m²a). That adds up to app. 6.6 litres of heating oil per square meter of heated floor space and per year. |
70kWh/(m²a) equal app. 6.6l/(m²a) heating oil |
low carbon house |
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Just another word for " low energy house", but lacking an official definition as to energy consumption levels. |
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zero carbon house |
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zero energy house |
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"Zero" energy relates to the cost of energy. In such a house, the cost of purchasing energy is balanced by income from sales of electricity to the grid of same generated on-site. |
The balance does not necessarily refer to an highly efficient house type as ample consumption could be capped by higher generation rates. |
passive house |
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By definition a Passive House must not consume more than 15kWh per square meter floor space per annum for heating (or cooling) the house.. |
15kWh/(m²a) equals app. 1.5 l/(m²a) oil There is lots to be learned about Passive House ideas and experiences, mainly from German projects, here, please. |
active house |
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In principle it is a Passive House generating excess energy which is supplied "back" into the grid; the Active House becomes part of decentralized energy generation schemes making the electric grid's distribution a social practice. |
generating a surplus |
...and what do we have to compare |
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The average home in Europe in 2007 consumes energy in excess of 250kWh/m² per annum, which adds up to the equivalent of 25 litres of heating oil per square meter floor space and year. |
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house and energy |
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And here is the "unexpected", the crossover you were waiting for... ... advanced construction needs... advanced energy
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NEW
rock's blog:
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⇒ history of CO2
⇒ CO2 and friends...
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