Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and the European Directive
Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. The single biggest thing you can do to reduce climate change apart from stopping flying (which you won’t do anyway) is improve the energy efficiency of your building. The great thing is that energy efficient buildings are alsoContinue reading
Designing the Optimal Solar Orientation of Your Villa in Spain
The angle at which the sun’s rays hit your home varies during the day and from season to season. It can have a big effect on your heating / cooling costs and on the overall sense of comfort your home gives you. It should be studied in conjunction with the layout and function of the rooms and outside spaces, the window placement, the insulation / thermal mass, and heating and cooling systems. Getting this right is a big part of designing a comfortable energy efficient home.
Continue readingGreen Building Accreditation Systems Explained
There are many different organisations around the world who offer green building accreditations. These are independent rating systems that measure the building’s “green” credentials against closely defined criteria. The mains ones are Breeam (UK), Leed (USA), DGNB (Germany) and CASBEE (Japan). In Spain we use the Spanish version of the Green Building Council which isContinue reading
