Ways to choose the appropriate materials for best energy efficiency

Choose the correct building materials for the least energy consumption in your home, these are usually to blame for half of the energy wasted in your home.

Building materials count towards 60% of the energy wasted.

The building materials used play an important role in energy consumption in any building (especially those used in the construction of the outer shell of the building) as they can affect the energy classification to a large degree. We could, according to the specific method of construction, rank the external wall coverings into three general categories: the light, the median (or mixed)and the heavy -duty wall constructions. In all three cases, the materials used with the lowest U-values(that is,the factor which denotes how much heat escapes)are those which determine up to 60% of the energy performance of the building. These materials have been termed as insulation materials for the past five decades. Their development continues quite impressively in our days too. The traditional placement of insulation materials in the Shell of the building is on the outer side of the wall,in this way the building is safeguarded from the effects of outside conditions, while at the same time reducing the probability of damp and mould forming.

Combine materials so as to have a home with limited to zero energy consumption

The contribution of building materials in the construction of a building with almost zero energy consumption is a determining factor and is a result of the integral design of the building. A new type of brick, enforced insulation, better quality window frames and energy -saving glass panes combined with other materials and systems can lead to an “Almost Zero Energy Consumption Building” (NZEB)

What does this mean in simple terms?

The building of the future,and when we say future, we mean the building /structure that we can and should design today. In Greece there should be no need for heating. We should simply take advantage to the fullest of the benefits to hand,the sun which we have in plenty, as well as “energy from renewable sources” produced can achieve this or close to this. At the same time, the building should have the minimum need for cooling through the correct bioclimatic design, using shading and the exploitation of thermal mass where needed. In this context, the choice of the most suitable building materials, based on the specifications required for an almost zero-energy building is the determining factor to achieving this goal. The market is ready and is developing continuously, the ‘know-how’ exists and is spreading. The point in question is for it to be made public knowledge that energy saving is a ‘one way ‘street because it is the only way we can stop the destruction of our environment, while at the same time saving our money which nowadays we all need more than ever.

Learn about the meaning of CE so as to choose wisely :

The European Directive 89/106/EEC(CPD),which was incorporated into Greek law with the P.D.334/94 FEK176/A/25,10,1994 concerns the compliance of products in the field of building /construction materials and the use of the symbol “CE”. The term building materials includes the items which are produced to be incorporated in building works in general, these cover both construction of building structures and works by civil engineers. Based on this directive European standards are issued with the purpose of compliance to the defined requirements in each group or individual products.

General requirements for the CE label:

  1. Mechanical resistance and stability
  2. Safety in the event of fire
  3. Hygiene, health and the environment
  4. Safety in use
  5. Protection against noise
  6. Energy, economy and heat retention
  7. Sustainable use of natural resources (new requirement)

For many building materials (such as double -glazed insulated glass panes, Window/door shutters, garage doors and more, these are the corresponding standards (EN)and their deadlines to be labelled with the CE label have expired years ago. In Greece however, unfortunately, there is a failure to take action in this area (as in many others), which is maintained by the lack of information and organisation. Thus, the CE label implies that the product conforms to these specific requirements and is regarded by companies as a compulsory prerequisite for th the use of their products in the European market, without changes or re-inspection of their products being needed. The only responsibility of the consumer in this particular case is to seek skilled engineers or energy consultants not technicians or salesmen. Let’s make a small parenthesis here -In Greece we have acquired a bad mentality the last few years, thinking that every technician knows construction better than any and whom whatsoever civil engineer. The fact that trading companies are facilitated by the technicians promoting their products are really to blame. The technicians of course recommend products they know and have used. For example, an insulation technician, usually former plasterer, knows how to apply insulation a certain way, usually the way taught to him by the trader, however he doesn’t know how to use any other product nor can he know the relation between energy performance of exterior thermal covering and the window frames.

Which materials would you choose for your home?

How much energy consumption wasted do you have due to outdated building materials?

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