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What exactly is a Low energy house (maison BBC) ?
Increasingly popular amongst both the construction industry and buyers seeking to create a home that is both economical to run and environmentally-friendly, Low energy houses are defined according to a specific Standard for low energy buildings.
In short, a Low energy house is a building that cuts down both on the amount of energy it uses and its CO² emissions, and is therefore more environmentally-friendly.
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THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES TO A LOW ENERGY HOUSE :
Besides the fact that you will be acting in an environmentally responsible fashion, you will be able to reduce your energy use by up to 60%, which obviously represents a significant financial saving !
Big savings
When you have a Low energy house built, you will be bound to certain rules regarding house construction and design. These rules will enable you to save energy…and money:
• Reduce your energy use by up to 60 %;
• Lower energy use to 45 to 50kWh per m² per year ;
• Keep CO² emissions down to a minimum ;
• Protect the sale value of your house and boost its rental value.
• Primary energy coefficient: 45 kwh of primary energy per m² of SHON (Net Internal area), i.e, between 45 and 50 depending on geographical zone and height above sea level.
State grants
A tax credit is awarded to buyers who wish to build a house that’s compliant with Low energy house (BBC) standards.
For example, a couple without children may be eligible for a tax credit worth up to 21,000 €.
Want to find out more? www.logement.gouv.fr
The comfort of a bioclimatic house
• Offers more efficient heating and hot water systems: pellet stove, heat pump etc…
• Improved insulation throughout the house;
• No damp-related problems;
• A more air-tight construction: air permeability under 0.6 m3 per hour;
• A constant flow of fresh air (beneficial to general health).
The choice of raw materials is key, as is the quality of the workmanship involved in the house’s construction. Our professionalism and expertise mean you can be sure that your house will be constructed according to best practice.
HOW WE GO ABOUT BUILDING YOUR LOW ENERGY HOUSE
FIRST PREPARE THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE PROJECT
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The preparation phase :
Assess the capabilities of the various professionals involved in the project and the requirements laid down by the low energy standard. Educate the future home owners in order to work together towards creating the most energy efficient solution possible for your house.
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The design phase :
We jointly design your project in accordance with the requirements of the low energy standard, taking into account design choices that have already been made and the targets that are to be met.
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The construction phase :
Ensure that the materials and equipment stipulated in the thermal performance study is properly used. Carry out air permeability tests.
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The inspection and acceptance of work phase :
Carry out the various final administrative and technical steps as required by the law. Pass on all technical information needed to ensure the proper maintenance of all relevant devices and/or facilities.
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Operational phase :
We will give you simple, clear instructions on how to operate your eco-friendly features and fittings in order to tailor them to your needs.
CHOOSING THE ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOU
Here we sum up how to design and implement your Low energy house building project.
Your building contractor will help you find answers to all your queries. Together, you will discuss and decide on the various elements that are crucial in creating this type of housing.
- The architectural design
- The shape/structure of the building:
• Compact
• Large windows to let in lots of light
• South-facing, in order to benefit as much as possible from natural heat sources
• Careful planning of how indoor spaces are laid out.
- A well-insulated structure:
• insulate the walls well and deal with all thermal bridges (draughts) ;
• Interior insulation;
• Exterior insulation;
• Integral insulation (e.g insulating bricks);
• Wood frame construction;
• Roofing;
• Ground floor insulation.
- Keeping cool in the Summer:
• Protecting the building from the sun’s heat;
• Reducing internal heat gains;
• Thermal inertia;
• Using the coolness of the evening and night;
• The size and positioning of glass walls and windows;
• Using the natural coolness of the ground.
- In addition:
• Monitoring energy use;
• Choosing where to site bay windows;
• Air permeability issues
• Ventilation;
• Heating systems;
• Hot water production.
ACHIEVING THE LOW ENERGY (BBC) ENERGY EFFICIENCY LABEL
When the project has been completed, air permeability readings will be taken by an Effinergie-accredited body.
This reading is used to validate the quality of execution and construction of your project, thus offering you the assurance that you will really be in control of your energy use.
So-called ‘conventionnelle’ (meaning in accordance with the BBC Low energy house standard) primary energy use will also be calculated – i.e heating, cooling, ventilation, auxiliaires, ancillary systems, hot water production and lighting.
The Effinergie energy efficiency label is awarded by the awarding body to houses that meet the criteria of the Low energy house (Bâtiment Basse Consommation - BBC) energy efficiency label.
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