Anna Olewińska-Byliniak New Energy

In times of climate changeclimate changeclimate change, it is extremely important to use renewable energyrenewable energy renewable energy sourcessources [source]sources first of all and think of solutionssolutions [solution]solutions that reduce energy consumptionreduce energy consumptionreduce energy consumption as much as possible. Most buildings use a lot of energy every day: to keep the lights on, cool the air, heatheatheat water, and power electric devicesdevices [device]devices. There are more and more green solutions that help us reduce energy consumption on an everyday basis. Thanks to solar panelssolar panels [solar panel]solar panels we can take the energy that comes from the sun, and green roofsgreen roofs [green roof]green roofs which work as the cooling systemcooling systemcooling system to keep down the temperature inside the house. Did you know that there are special kinds of buildings that can reduce the use of energy? Keep reading to find out more!

Zero Energy Housezero‑energy houseZero Energy House

Is it possible to produce energy without any help? Yes, it is, especially in a zero‑energy house! It’s a building that is extremely energy‑efficientenergy‑efficientenergy‑efficient and saves 50%-70% more energy than a typical building. How is it possible? In this kind of building, renewable energy is produced on or around the building. Is it possible during the whole year? Not quite, and this is how it works. When the weather conditions are good and when it’s sunny, the renewable energy systems in the house covercovercover the building’s energy needsenergy needsenergy needs. When the weather is worse, the building takes energy from the electrical gridelectrical gridelectrical grid. Thanks to such a solution, the building gives back as much energy as it takes!

Passive Housepassive housePassive House

This idea comes from 1991 when a physicist in Austria built the first “Passivhaus” (that’s the German name), which is an energy‑efficient building standardbuilding standardbuilding standard. A passive house needs 90% less energy than a typical building. You don’t need a heaterheaterheater or air conditionerair conditionerair conditioner, because the heat doesn’t go away. How is it possible? Thanks to eco‑friendlyeco‑friendlyeco‑friendly solutions that reduce carbon footprintcarbon footprintcarbon footprint of a building, like good insulation materialsinsulation materials [insulation material]insulation materials or good windows. In such a house, electricity bills are more affordableaffordableaffordable.

So, which one would be your type?

1 Źródło: Anna Olewińska-Byliniak, licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.