Economy, ecology and comfort. Evolution in housing construction

Imagine a home with a perfectly comfortable atmosphere around the clock. A house in which it is not stuffy, but at the same time it does not blow. A house that is cool in summer and warm in winter — without air conditioners and standard batteries. A house that does not waste, but saves your resources. A house that does not harm the environment. Fantasy? Yes, no. In many European countries, such buildings have already become the norm. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, where energy independence is one of the state's strategic priorities, similar construction is just being mastered. Passive, active and multi-comfortable... PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA understood the main concepts of low-consumption apartments and their advantages.

Passive house

The concept of a passive house (passivhaus) was developed in 1988 by the German Wolfgang Feist and the Swede Bo Adamson. Their goal was to come up with such a construction standard that would help reduce energy consumption for heating the building due to structural features and the use of special materials. A couple of years later, the idea was tested in practice: in 1991, the first passive house was put into operation - a townhouse for several families in the German city of Darmstadt.

The house was well-insulated, constructions were made without temperature bridges (areas of the surface through which heat escapes to the outside), special triple glazing was used for the windows. For ventilation of the building, a system with recuperation was used (fresh air entering the building was heated by the used air). Thanks to these features, the consumption for heating the house amounted to about 1 liter of liquid fuel per 1 square meter. m per hour

First passive house, Darmstadt (Germany). Photo: Peter Cook

Subsequently, the main ideologist of the concept, Wolfgang Feist, founded the Passivhaus Institute and defined the parameters of the standard of passive houses, which are used for their certification in our time.

So, a house that consumes up to 15 kWh/sq.m. is considered passive. m per hour of thermal energy for heating. This is 80-90% less than standard buildings. The reduction in energy consumption is achieved primarily by reducing the building's heat loss. And this, in turn, becomes possible thanks to the compact design, hermetic shell and the absence of "heat bridges".

If everything is done correctly, a passive house does not need an active heating system. The building should remain "passively warm" thanks to internal heat sources (household appliances and the inhabitants of the house - people and even pets), as well as solar energy. The correct orientation of the building to the cardinal points helps to use the sun's energy. In passive houses, special window profiles with triple glazing, heat-insulated frames and connections along the edge of the glazing are installed, which collect solar energy for heating the premises, but prevent heat from escaping outside. You don't need to open windows to get fresh air. Air exchange takes place with the help of ventilation units with heat recovery (return).

A passive house does not require an active heating system

To heat water and cool the air in the room, it is desirable to use renewable energy sources - solar collectors and geothermal heat pumps (a system that uses the heat of the earth).

In Europe, the construction of energy-saving houses has become the norm: the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires that from December 31, 2020, all new buildings in the European Union countries be built as nearly zero-energy buildings, and by 2050 g. the entire fund issued in Europe must be brought to this level.

In Ukraine, interest in this topic appeared relatively recently. One of the pioneers in the field of energy-saving construction in Ukraine was civil engineer Florian Lammaer.

Florian Lammaer, civil engineer, certified designer of passive houses

"When I came to Ukraine in 2005, nobody was interested in energy efficiency. When I was with my wife's relatives in Kharkiv, they opened the tap with water and left it on. I was in complete shock, because at that time in Germany we were already trying to save resources. In 2006, I created a website about passive houses in Ukraine. I think it was the first website for the entire CIS devoted to this topic, but there was zero interest in it. Because electricity, gas and water were too cheap here. And why save what is cheap?" Florian explains in a conversation with PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA.

Only in 2014, with the onset of the crisis, the situation moved from a standstill. At the same time, the first state programs aimed at supporting energy-efficient construction and repair appeared.

Private cottage built with the principles of a passive house, Kharkiv

At the moment, a number of objects have already been built in Ukraine, taking into account the Passive House concept. In 2008, the first Ukrainian project entered into the international base of the institute in Darmstadt was the "House of the Sun" by architect Tatyana Ernst.

Andrey Ovcharenko, a certified passive house builder in Ukraine, singles out two reasons why buildings with low energy consumption are still not a common practice in our country. The first is the low level of awareness of both the consumer and the executor (architect and builder). The second is that the client often sacrifices energy-efficient solutions in exchange for designer delights.

Andrey Ovcharenko, certified builder of passive houses

The cost of construction is not singled out as such a reason. Now in Europe, a passive house costs only 5-7% more than usual. But the project pays off after 7-10 years of operation. In Ukraine, with a rational approach, construction can be even cheaper than in Europe. "Today, a sufficient amount of materials and components are produced in Ukraine and, at the same time, of high quality. The construction budget starts at $1 per square meter. m "on a turnkey basis," Ovcharenko tells the publication. — Taking into account today's tariffs, the payback of a passive house is at the level of 000-5 years. A 7% increase in the price of gas from January 1, 2020 will lead to higher profitability."

 

Active house

The first active house was built in Denmark, in the city of Lustrup, in 2009. There were huge windows on all sides that provided good natural lighting. Solar batteries were placed on its roof, which gave more than enough power to maintain heat in the room and to operate the devices. Thus, the house produced more energy than it consumed. He sold excess energy to the country's grid.

The concept of an active home is based on three factors — comfort, energy consumption and ecology

Perhaps that is why many mistakenly perceive active homes as those that produce more energy than they consume. Like, I stuck a photovoltaic system on the roof — and it turned out to be an active house. But in this case, it is correct to use the term "house with positive energy balance" (energy plus house).

Первый активный дом Home for Life, Lustrup (Denmark). Photo: AART architects

The concept of an active home is more complex. Ideologists of the active house consider it the next step in the evolution of energy-efficient construction. So, an active home should take into account three important factors: comfort of living, energy consumption and impact on the environment.

  • Comfort of living

Active homes should offer residents a healthy and comfortable environment. This implies a sufficient amount of daylight, fresh air and an optimal temperature in the room around the clock.

  • Energy consumption

Active houses, continuing the tradition of passive ones, must use resources sparingly. The volume of necessary resources, the use of renewable energy sources and the generation of own energy are taken into account.

  • Environmental impact

Following the principles of sustainable development, such houses should positively interact with the environment. It is desirable that secondary materials were used during construction, and the house itself emitted as little harmful gases into the atmosphere as possible.

To evaluate an active house, a so-called radar is built, on which it is noted how well the project corresponds to each of the nine parameters. The international organization Active House Alliance, headquartered in Brussels, is promoting the concept.

Optima House, the first active house in Ukraine, village Mykulichy, Kyiv region.

As for this type of energy-saving building, at the moment there is one officially recognized active house built in the country — it is Optima House near Kyiv, opened in 2015. The house is heated without using natural gas. The house is equipped with a heat pump system, ventilation with heat recovery, photovoltaic panels and solar collectors. By the way, this project is based on another concept - "Multicomfort", which will be discussed below.

In Ukraine, the construction of energy-saving houses is cheaper than in Europe

The architect of Optima House, the verifier of active buildings, Oleksandr Kucheryavy notes that the construction of active houses in Ukraine is also cheaper than in the West. "In Europe, an active house is built three times faster, but three times more expensive than in Ukraine," he said in a comment to the publication. — In Europe, the average price is 2-500 euros per square meter. m turnkey. We managed to sell a square for $3."

Alexander Kucheryavy, architect, verifier of active houses

At the same time, the climatic conditions in Ukraine are more suitable for the construction of energy-efficient houses than in some other European countries. "It is easier to achieve energy efficiency standards in Ukraine than, for example, in Belarus and Lithuania," says Kucheryavyi. — I calculated that if a house with the same parameters is placed in Ukraine, Belarus or Lithuania, then in Ukraine it consumes, for example, 18 kWh / m per hour, in Belarus - 24,5 kWh / m per hour, and in Lithuania - 32 kWh / m per hour. This is due to the influence of the climate. Ukraine is in an excellent climatic zone".

Radar Optima House

Multi-comfortable house

The Saint-Gobain international group together with the Passivhaus Institute developed another construction concept called "Multicomfort". It was based on the principles of building a passive house with annual energy costs for heating up to 15 kWh/sq. m. Low energy consumption is achieved with the help of the same methods: thermal insulation, hermetic shell, insulated window profiles, ventilation system with heat recovery.

At the same time, the multi-comfort house has additional advantages — during its design and construction, special attention is paid to the health and well-being of future residents. Saint-Gobain specialists in partnership with research organizations identified four components of indoor comfort: thermal, acoustic, visual and air quality. The "Multicomfort" concept is based on these components.

Elementary school in Masano. The building built in 1950 after renovation became the first multi-comfort school in Italy

  • Thermal comfort

For normal life, a person first of all needs a balanced thermal environment. Scientific studies prove that both excessively cold and overheated rooms are harmful to people's physical and mental health, increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and can even contribute to deaths.

Although sensitivity to temperature regimes varies from person to person and may depend on age, gender, field of activity, habits, the basic principles remain universal. Thermal comfort requires a favorable air temperature (not too hot and not too cold), optimal humidity and the absence of drafts.

If standard houses use an active heating system in winter and air conditioning in summer to maintain the temperature, then multi-comfort buildings continue the traditions of passive and active "predecessors". Here, normal thermal conditions are maintained throughout the year with minimal energy consumption. This is helped by well-thought-out design solutions - the correct shape and orientation of the building, the number and shape of windows, an airtight shell in combination with a ventilation system.

Saint-Gobain helped the municipality of Caravaggio to renovate a primary school in rural Masano, Italy

Classroom of the school in Masano, reconstructed in 2017, Italy
  • Visual comfort

It's no secret that we often judge by the wrapper. But the visual component of the "Multicomfort" concept has a serious basis. Researchers have determined that a good view from the office window increases the productivity of employees, and the presence of daylight in hospitals contributes to the faster recovery of patients. A view of the street, a pleasant design of the room and high-quality lighting are the basic principles of visual comfort.

The most pressing issue is the issue of salvation. For a person's comfortable life and work, daylight should be sufficient, it should be evenly distributed over the space without contrasts and glare, and it should also be well combined with artificial lighting.

A comfortable lighting system is achieved with the help of roofs oriented to the sun, as well as the use of such technologies as "smart glass" - this is a glazing system that changes its optical properties (opacity, light transmission coefficient, etc.) when the external conditions change.

Four parameters of comfort according to Saint-Gobain: thermal, acoustic, visual and air quality

  • Acoustic comfort

The screeching of brakes outside the window, the quarrels of the neighbors behind the wall and the shuffling of the mother-in-law's slippers outside the door? All this should not be in a multi-comfort house. A well-balanced acoustic environment and blocking of unwanted sounds (from traffic, equipment, people) is another comfort factor.

Studies have shown that a well-designed sound environment in offices or schools helps to improve concentration. And annoying noises are often the cause of serious stress. For example, the risk of a heart attack in those who live near busy streets and major highways is about 20% higher than in residents of quiet areas.

When designing acoustic comfort, it is necessary to take into account various factors: the types and spectrum of sounds, possible noise pollution of the environment, the functional purpose of the building, the presence of loud equipment (pipes, elevators, ventilation). Noise can be transmitted either through the air or through the structure of the building itself. Therefore, to create a comfortable atmosphere, various soundproofing materials are used - ceilings, floors, wall decoration, glazing.

Multi-comfortable office building in the commune of Rechy (Romania). Photo: Cosmin Dragomir

  • Air quality

Fresh air, but no draft. A point in the eternal dispute between topics that are suffocating and topics that are due. In multi-comfort houses, the air should be fresh and clean, without harmful impurities and unpleasant odors.

The causes of indoor air pollution can be external sources (road traffic and industry), activities of residents (tobacco smoke, cleaning products, printers), filling of premises (paints, furniture, floor and wall coverings) and components of the ventilation system (filters, humidifiers). Designers and builders face the task of minimizing the influence of these sources. Therefore, the choice of quality materials is important. In addition, the intake of fresh air requires well-thought-out mechanical and natural ventilation, as well as an air purification system.

 

Expert opinion

PRAGMATICS. MEDIA: Tell us how the concept of a multi-comfort home was born? What studies formed its basis?

Slavomir Shpunar: The "Multicomfort" concept was originally created in 2004 at ISOVER (this is one of the Saint-Gobain group companies that specializes in thermal insulation). The concept was based on the principles of a passive house, in which special attention was paid to energy efficiency. Its purpose was to demonstrate that such indicators can be achieved with the help of construction materials and technologies that existed at that time. This was the voice of Saint-Gobain in the discussion about the form and scope of the EU energy efficiency directive (EPBD).

Slavomir Shpunar, international marketing director of the Saint-Gobain company, one of the ideologues of the "Multicomfort" concept

Realizing over the years that in this discussion not enough attention is paid to the comfort and well-being of home users, in 2011 we decided to change the scope of the "Multicomfort" program. As part of our research team, we have created a special unit that now participates in global scientific discussions about different aspects of the indoor environment: thermal and visual comfort, air quality, acoustics. Today, the "Multicomfort" concept balances the needs of the end user, energy efficiency and the impact on the environment. It can be said that it offers an optimal solution between the impact of the building on people and the planet.

PM: How does this concept relate to the concepts of passive and active houses? Is it possible to say that this is their logical continuation?

S. Sh.: We are certainly going in the same direction, these concepts have a lot in common. For example, the principle that the comfort of residents should be achieved, as much as possible, due to the optimized design of the building envelope. Or the principle that it is necessary to strive for zero energy consumption to maintain comfortable conditions in the room. The differences are manifested in some requirements (what is mandatory and what is not). So here we are talking about some kind of continuation. However, to be frank, all concepts are developed taking into account the importance of aspects such as human health and well-being, the requirements of sustainable development.

The "Multicomfort" concept balances the needs of the end user, efficiency and impact on the environment

PM: If we talk about numbers, what level of energy consumption and emissions is typical for a multi-comfort home?

S. Sh.: In the current version, according to the "Multicomfort" criteria, energy needs for heating or cooling should not exceed 15 kWh / sq.m. m per hour As for gas emissions, there are no specific indicators, as it depends on local conditions. However, in parallel with the minimization of energy consumption, we recommend increasing the share of "green" energy - that is, obtained from renewable sources.

PM: The concept of a multi-comfortable house also implies the use of environmentally friendly materials. Tell me, what are these materials, what are their special features?

S. Sh.: We insist on choosing materials and solutions with an EPD (Ecological Product Declaration) certificate, as this is the most objective way to compare products with the building's life cycle. Focusing on the composition of the product and its origin, people often forget how it will "behave" during the building's operation. For example, will it affect the energy balance, will it require frequent repair or replacement. These features are important, as the life of the building is relatively long.

We also strive to use more materials with a high content of secondary raw materials or suitable for recycling.

Multi-comfort house for one family, Lillehammer (Norway)

PM: Multi-comfort houses are focused on saving energy resources, not having a negative impact on the environment, and, in addition, they are focused on the well-being and sense of well-being of users. What is still the priority — comfort or energy efficiency?

S. Sh.: This is an important question, but it contains one very common misconception. We talk about sustainable solutions (for example, energy efficiency) as something good for the environment and the planet, forgetting that we, people, are a vital part of this environment, and the planet is our only home. Thus, a solution cannot be good for the planet if it harms people (their health and well-being). Similarly: good solutions for people, providing comfort and health, should not harm our planet.

PM: The "Multicomfort" concept is based on four parameters (thermal, acoustic, visual and air quality). At the expense of any technical means, each of them is achieved?

S. Sh.: It sounds like there are some additional hurdles that need to be overcome to achieve comfort. Although in any building - regardless of whether it is a home, office or school - we would expect optimal conditions for users. This is absolutely normal when the room has adequate temperature and acoustic conditions, fresh air, daylight and a view of the street. All this can be achieved with the help of a good design of the building envelope (orientation, shape, functional layout, etc.) and the right choice of products and solutions. The combination of these elements determines the final performance of the building. For example, the orientation, size and quality of the windows determine whether they will help reduce the energy costs of the building or vice versa.

Saint-Gobain recommends using energy from renewable sources for building needs

PM: In Ukraine, the construction of energy-efficient houses is still not so popular due to the relative high cost. Why is it still worth investing more money now to save money later?

S. Sh.: I have already mentioned EPD and Life Cycle Assessment of products and solutions as the only objective way to determine their impact on the environment. Life Cycle Costing has a similar logic. When assessing the value of a building, one should take into account not only how much its construction will cost, but also how profitable it will be during operation, what its value will be at resale or at the end of its service life. The less resources we need to operate the building (heating, cooling, lighting, maintenance costs, etc.), the less we are affected by ever-increasing resource prices.

A few years ago, an interesting study was conducted in the Brussels metropolitan region, which compared the cost of almost a thousand newly built houses (for one or several families). It turned out that the costs of ensuring better energy efficiency are significantly lower than those associated with the unusual shape of the building or some special bells and whistles (the original shape of the roof, windows or doors). We (investors) must decide what is our priority. Improving the performance of the building (in terms of comfort and energy efficiency) seems like the best investment. Not only because it improves the quality of life from the very beginning, but also because decorative repairs are much cheaper than rebuilding a building taking into account parameters of comfort and energy efficiency.

Multi-comfortable private house, Stawyguda (Poland)

PM: In addition to saving money on energy, a multi-comfort home provides other advantages, as it implies a comfortable environment that has a positive effect on mental and physical health. Is it possible to measure these benefits somehow?

S. Sh.: There are many studies and publications that prove the relationship between the improvement of conditions in non-residential buildings (offices, schools, hospitals) and the increase in productivity (efficiency of employees, success of students and quick recovery). It is more difficult with residential buildings, because such measurements are not easy to make. But there are some facts: for example, the best sleep in a quiet, well-ventilated bedroom, lower risks of respiratory diseases in well-ventilated rooms.

PM: In Europe, the construction of energy-efficient houses, whose impact on the environment is limited, is already the norm. Meanwhile, Ukraine has state programs to support energy efficiency, but there are no binding regulations. How important is it to enshrine it at the legislative level in order to develop sustainable construction?

S. Sh.: It is absolutely important to have good legislative norms, as most of the construction market is oriented precisely on them. Voluntary certifications (such as Passive House, Active House, LEED or BREEAM) are usually the prerogative of early adopters. They show the way of development, but in order to move the main part of the market, the norms must change. And of course, the laws must be observed.

Model Passive House was built in 2014 near the city of Olsztyn (Poland) to demonstrate the advantages of more than 100 Saint-Gobain products used in interiors and exteriors

PM: You have been to Ukraine and are probably familiar with local projects of energy-saving houses. For example, Optima House, which is recognized as active and multi-comfortable at the same time. How can you rate them?

S. Sh.: I think that they are very good, and I am full of admiration for the people who stand behind them and pave this way.

PM: What to do with the housing fund, which in no way corresponds to the principles of energy efficiency and "Multicomfort"? For example, in Ukraine, there is a lot of mass housing that is visually unattractive, energy inefficient, with poor sound insulation, and an ill-conceived ventilation system. Does the fact that many Ukrainians live in such conditions affect the well-being of the country as a whole? Should the state be worried about this?

S. Sh.: Yes, it should. In the EU, many studies are conducted that link poor living conditions with health care costs. So, inadequate housing is not only a problem for citizens, but also an additional expense for the state. It is not so easy to deal with this because of the number of houses that require renovation and the complexity of the renovation process itself. In many EU countries, there is already a good practice for solving this problem - this is a law (or at least some financial support), according to which every repair should be connected with improving the operational characteristics of the building. For example, if the roof leaks and it is necessary to replace the roof, then an additional layer of insulation will be added there to improve its thermal insulation characteristics.

Inadequate housing is not only a problem for citizens, but also an additional expense for the state

PM: Tell us more about how the principles of "Multicomfort" can be used in the reconstruction or renovation of old houses?

S. Sh.: In the "Multicomfort" concept, we aim for the same level of performance for renovation as for a new building, assuming that there is no difference in the needs of residents of old or new buildings. However, these goals cannot always be achieved. Sometimes this happens due to the need to preserve the historical appearance of the building, but more often due to technical difficulties and financial impracticality. The most common example: changing the shape or size of a window opening in an existing building is expensive. In this case, we can improve the availability of daylight, for example, by replacing the glazing.

PM: People will still live in the buildings we are building now 50-100 years from now. Accordingly, it is important to consider changes in the lifestyle of people and the environment. What should be different about these houses of the future, the foundations of which we are laying now?

S. Sh.: I am very afraid that climate change will be the most important factor that will affect our way of life and buildings. Every year we observe more and more extreme weather phenomena (long periods of heat or cold, sharp drops, torrential rains and strong winds). We are talking more and more about "promising" solutions that should anticipate these changes. I can say that the building in which it is bad to live today will be even more uncomfortable in the future, perhaps even completely unfit for life... We have no other rational choice but to build well. Ideally, multi-comfortable.