Energy price records and the climate crisis are creating a completely new awareness of life and living. Just burning gas and money? Maybe that was once the case. The future is based on sustainable living solutions, such as low-energy houses. But when do we talk about a low-energy house and what is a U-value? We take a look through and at the windows of energy-efficient properties. 

What is a low-energy house? 

The name actually says it all. This category of house is characterised by its low energy consumption. And that, of course, is good for the household budget AND the environment. In addition, a low-energy house is defined by a maximum heating requirement of 50 kWh per square metre per year.  

Low-energy house instead of burning money

Smart planning by architects and building services engineers is needed to ensure that energy costs remain low in a cosily heated home. They focus in particular on the building envelope, insulation and heating systems.

The most important criteria for a low-energy house: 

• Very good thermal insulation of the building envelope: Effective insulation ensures that the heat stays in the house in winter and the heat stays outside in summer.
• Avoidance of thermal bridges: Thanks to clever construction, thermal bridges are minimised and energy loss is reduced.
• Standard-compliant airtightness: A tight building envelope minimises uncontrolled air exchange and therefore energy loss.
• Thermal insulation glazing: Special windows with thermal insulation glazing reduce heat loss and improve living comfort.
• Efficient building technology: State-of-the-art heating and ventilation systems ensure low energy consumption. 

What is the U-value for a low-energy house? 

Anyone who says "N" for low-energy house must also say "U" for U-value, but what exactly does this value actually mean? The U-value stands for the so-called heat transfer coefficient and this determines the thermal insulation of individual components of a house. For example, the walls or windows of a low-energy house must not exceed certain U-values in order to guarantee their energy efficiency. For windows in a low-energy house, for example, a U-value of less than 0.9 applies, while the U-value of the building envelope is less than 0.2.

What are the advantages of a low-energy house? 

1. Low energy costs
    
2. Protects the environment
    
3. High living comfort
    
4. Innovative technologies

Thanks to energy-efficient construction methods, low-energy houses enable considerable savings on energy costs. Compared to conventional properties, residents of a low-energy house can reduce their heating and electricity bills by up to 80 per cent, which means significant financial savings in the face of rising energy prices.

A low-energy house also makes an important contribution to environmental protection. After all, energy efficiency also means less consumption of valuable resources.
 

Another advantage is the high level of living comfort. Thanks to efficient thermal insulation and modern heating and ventilation systems, a low-energy house has a pleasant indoor climate all year round. In summer the heat stays outside, in winter the warmth stays inside. This ensures a cosy living environment with large windows and plenty of daylight!

In addition, low-energy houses are often equipped with innovative technologies that further increase living comfort. These include intelligent home control systems and the use of renewable energies. All of this improves your living experience and reduces energy costs at the same time. 
 

Any questions? Whether it's energy efficiency, building services or financing - the Glorit advisory team is available 7 days a week to provide you with help and advice!