Energy-efficient building – what should it be characterized by?

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Energy-efficient building – definition and basic characteristics

In the Polish legal system, the concept of an energy-efficient building does not exist, nor is it clearly defined how much less energy such a building must consume compared to a standard one in order to be considered energy-efficient. Therefore, this boundary is fluid and shifts with the development of new technologies and the gradual tightening of legal standards regarding building requirements.

It is generally accepted that an energy-efficient building is one that consumes 25-50% less energy than a building that meets the requirements of current regulations.¹

An evolution of energy-efficient buildings are passive houses, where energy savings are far more advanced, at the cost of significant increases in construction costs. At the other end of the spectrum are zero-emission buildings, which function without relying on external energy sources.

Energy-efficient building requirements – what must be met?

Energy efficiency in a building depends on many factors. Even a building that was constructed according to outdated technical guidelines can be modernized to meet the current energy-reduction standards. This is particularly important for entrepreneurs looking for ways to reduce company expenses but who cannot or do not want to incur significant costs immediately. What can you change in your company’s infrastructure to classify your buildings as energy-efficient?²

• Insulated external partitions (walls, roof, or ceiling) with minimal thermal bridges and maximum airtightness;
• High-quality window and door joinery with high airtightness;
• Shutters ensuring night-time window insulation;
• Balconies that prevent heat energy from escaping outside;
• Utilization of high-efficiency heating and hot water systems;
• Installation of smart home systems;
• Installation of energy-efficient household appliances.

Of course, energy efficiency is not only about adding more elements to the puzzle but also about implementing daily habits. Smart management of electricity and water is just one of them.

When designing new buildings, attention should be paid to how well they use the advantages of the surrounding environment, such as terrain shape, wind direction, solar exposure, or building protection with green areas. It is advisable to ensure that the building’s structure is compact without unnecessary projections. The largest windows should be placed on the southern side, while the smallest on the northern side. Additionally, it is recommended to use so-called buffer zones like vestibules or greenhouses.

Is there an optimal sequence for working on the energy efficiency of a building? It turns out there is. First and foremost, focus on thermal modernization and reducing heat loss. Secondly, the use of renewable energy sources should be optimized according to needs. Only in the final step should any gaps be filled with fossil fuels.

Which renewable energy solutions align with the philosophy of energy-efficient buildings?

Investors focused on designing buildings with reduced energy demand should pay attention to available renewable energy technologies. These might include:

• Photovoltaics;
• Heat pumps;
• Biomass boilers;
• Solar collectors;
• Wind turbines.

Energy-efficient building standards – regulations and norms

To standardize the assessment of energy efficiency in buildings, the Polish legislature introduced energy certificates. These are concise, readable summaries that primarily define:

• The annual demand for final energy;
• The annual demand for usable energy;
• The annual demand for non-renewable primary energy;
• The unit size of CO2 emissions;
• The share of renewable energy sources in the annual demand for final energy.

If you're unsure whether your company buildings are energy-efficient, refer to the results of an audit or conduct one if you haven't already. This document will also contain specific recommendations from the certifier about what needs to be done to reduce energy consumption. If necessary, the audit can be supplemented with a thermographic inspection of the building.

Benefits of having an energy-efficient building

The benefits of energy-efficient buildings are hard to overestimate. By reducing the energy demand of the building, the investor lowers the costs associated with its maintenance. For a company, this means cost optimization and more money for ongoing investments. While these types of constructions typically involve significant expenses, they can usually be spread over time, and many of them pay off within just a few years. After that, the costs of maintaining company infrastructure are significantly reduced.

Energy-efficient buildings also place less burden on the environment. The more renewable energy sources a building uses and the less it relies on non-renewable fuels, the more neutral it is to the ecosystem. It is worth noting that investments in energy-efficient and sustainable buildings are one of the pillars of the environmental aspect of ESG reporting. If your company needs to implement such practices, ensuring compliance with energy-saving buildings is essential.

Another significant benefit is the increase in the property’s value in the secondary market. If you ever plan to sell or lease your property, you can expect to get a better price. It’s also a truism that living in an energy-efficient building simply improves quality of life.

Examples of energy-efficient buildings – inspiration

Below are a few examples of energy-efficient buildings that guarantee exceptionally high levels of savings.

One Embankment Place in London, occupied by PricewaterhouseCoopers since the 1990s, achieved the highest level of the BREEAM certification. Specially designed solutions reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51%. Another example is the Kjorbo power plant in Oslo. A global renovation using recycled materials reduced energy demand by an impressive 90%. A true breakthrough, however, is The Edge in Amsterdam, primarily the headquarters of Deloitte. It is completely carbon-neutral.

There is no doubt that energy-efficient, passive, and zero-emission buildings represent the future of the global economy. Contact us if you want to join global leaders in this field. We will help you design a personalized development strategy!

1. Aktualne wymagania techniczne względem obiektów budowlanych określa rozporządzenie Ministra Rozwoju i Technologii z dnia 15 kwietnia 2022 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu rozporządzenia Ministra Infrastruktury w sprawie warunków technicznych, jakim powinny odpowiadać budynki i ich usytuowanie [https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20220001225, dostęp: 22.09.2024 r.]

2. https://nape.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Dom-energooszczedny_broszura.pdf [dostęp: 22.09.2024 r.]