Energy-efficient construction and renovation
An energy-efficient home of your own is good for the environment and an insurance policy against rising energy prices. That's because building or renovating your home to make it energy-efficient enables you to use natural, renewable energy sources. Read about how to make your home energy-efficient or self-sufficient as well as about what particular factors are involved.
Is energy-efficient construction worthwhile?
High energy prices are hitting many homeowners in the pocket. But by making your home energy-efficient, you can reduce your heating and electricity costs and to a large extent insulate yourself against price rises. These investments normally pay for themselves in just a few years. Although energy-efficient systems significantly reduce the cost of maintaining your home, they do involve some servicing costs.
Anyone planning to do renovation work or build a new home should therefore focus on energy efficiency. By choosing renewable energy and full insulation, homeowners will be doing more than just reducing their electricity costs over the long term: They will also be helping to protect the climate through lower CO2 emissions as well as increasing the value of their property.
Energy-efficient construction and renovation. What areas of the home are involved?
Major improvements in a home's energy efficiency can be achieved by installing good insulation and a modern heating solution. The federal government and cantons provide financial support for energy-efficiency renovation and construction. It's important to clarify at an early stage which measures qualify for financial support in the area where you live. You'll find relevant information on the "Energie Schweiz" platform of the Federal Office of Energy.
Energy-efficient vs. self-sufficient homes: How do they differ?
An energy-efficient building uses less energy. This includes low-energy homes with a heating energy requirement of 50 kWh/m2 as well as passive homes with a heating energy requirement of no more than 15 kWh/m2.
By definition, a self-sufficient building, on the other hand, does not require any external heat or power supply – and is therefore fully independent of energy prices. These types of buildings use photovoltaic systems (i.e. solar power), roof-mounted wind turbines, heat pumps, and solar battery storage. They also need excellent insulation and a ventilation system with heat recovery. This allows the maximum amount of energy to be generated and stored until it is needed in the winter.
Effective measures for energy-efficient construction and renovation
Insulation
The thermal insulation of the entire building envelope plays an important role in energy-efficient construction. It reduces external heat loss during the winter months and protects the interior of the building from heat during the warm season. Full insulation provides a more comfortable living environment, reduces heating costs, and increases the value of the property.
Insulation materials differ mainly in terms of their insulating properties, price, and sustainability. In the case of sustainability, wood fiber insulation board has proven especially effective. As well as facade insulation, roof insulation can likewise reduce energy costs significantly given the fact that warm air rises. Basement insulation is recommended if you plan to use the basement of the house as additional living space. Double or triple-glazed windows should also be installed as part of any energy-efficient renovation or construction project, so as to prevent further loss of heat.
Heating
An electric heat pump is an extremely sustainable choice when it comes to heating, because it draws heat from groundwater, air, or soil and heats the water used for heating. Brine/water heat pumps that draw heat from the ground are the most commonly used in energy-efficient renovation or construction. Due to the constant temperatures deep in the ground, the system provides the same performance all year round. Heat pumps work without fossil fuel and only require a small amount of space.
Another option for sustainable heating is pellet heating, which uses leftover wood that is pressed into pellets. The pellets are burned in a boiler that is connected to the home's heating system. A pellet boiler can cover all the hot water requirements of a home. Here too, there are big environmental benefits: Heating with wood pellets is virtually climate-neutral. The boiler emits only as much carbon as that offset by a tree when growing back. Renovating with pellet heating is a great option for households with high energy consumption. This is particularly true for older farmhouses that do not yet have comprehensive thermal insulation.
Electricity production
When carrying out renovation work or planning to build a new home, solar collectors on the roof or the facade are a popular option. These convert solar rays into thermal energy. The heat transfer fluid circulating in the collector is heated by the sun and then transferred to the heating system or used to provide hot water.
This is distinct from photovoltaic systems, which harness the sun's energy to generate electricity that is used privately or can be fed into the public grid in return for financial compensation. The owner is therefore protected from rising energy prices.
What's the best way to approach an energy-saving construction project?
To determine the required construction measures, you will normally need to obtain an expert report for the cantonal energy certificate for buildings (CECB). The property classification system ranges from A (highly efficient) to G (poor). The CECB Plus report includes specific options for enhancing energy efficiency. Subsidies for CECB Plus are available in most cantons.
The amount of energy savings can differ by technology and construction type. It's therefore worth comparing different designs and consulting an expert. If you are planning a renovation project, an architect or civil engineer is a good place to start. If the building systems need upgrading, then an electrical engineer can help. Click here to find an expert in your region.
Remember that energy-saving systems must be reported to your municipality and that there are legal restrictions on the type of renovations that can be undertaken in historic buildings.
How can you finance an energy-efficient construction project?
The government provides a range of subsidies, including repayment grants, tax deductions, and lower-cost financing. These apply to new builds and renovations alike. The installation of CO2-free heating systems also qualifies for financial support, although the specific options and requirements vary by canton and municipality. Many places require the CECB Plus report. Further information is available here.
As with normal renovation projects, energy-efficient renovations can be financed by increasing your mortgage or pledging pension capital from your Pillar 3a account. The experts at Credit Suisse are on hand to help you plan your energy-efficient home.
