GENERAL
Buildings in developed countries consume about 50% of the whole energy consumption. So it is essential to achieve sustainable living to minimalise the building energy consuption. This means energy for construction and then for operation - as heating, cooling, water supply, waste disposal, lighting etc.
HEATING AND COOLING
Energetic effciency is ussually determined in value of the energy consumption for the heating and cooling for the square meter per year [kWh/m2.a]. Low energy houses must require less than 50 kWh/m2.a; passive houses less then 15 kWh/m2.a; for comparison standard houses require about 100 kWh/m2.a and old houses up to 300 kWh/m2.a. Radical savings are achieved especially by minimalising the heat losses by using superinsulation and perfect design of construction details.
AIR CONDITIONING
Heat losses via ventilation must be at passive houses signifcantly reduced by using advanced mechanical heat recovery ventilation system. Perfect airtightness of the whole building must be achieved and approved
OTHER ASPECTS
Other envirometal apects such as water and electric energy consuption, primary energy for building materials and transportation and so on must carefully considered. So local materials should be preffered. Rain water may be used. Only effective electric devices should be in operation.
Above mentioned points are just the essential frame of the design principals. Design of the passive and low-energy houses needs highly qualifed specialists who will fnd and propose the best and simpliest solution for each particular case. tšv architects are such specialists.
