Energy-efficient buildings
How to plan installations in an energy-efficient or passive house?
Together with the architect and site manager, before the airtight layer is made: routes on its inner side, control of shading, ventilation and the heat pump, and airtight installation penetrations.
New Polish building regulations (technical conditions) are being prepared. We design ahead of the announced requirements and the EPBD directive; we will update this information once the regulation is published.
See also: Energy
What we do
What do installations bring to an energy-efficient building?
Automation keeps the building from overheating in summer, runs ventilation according to need, and the installations do not compromise airtightness.
Shading against overheating
Blinds and venetian blinds controlled by sun, wind and time of day.
Ventilation control
Heat recovery ventilation output according to CO₂, humidity and occupancy.
Airtight installation penetrations
Routes on the inner side of the airtight layer.
Heat pump and PV
Common control, power balancing.
Complementary services
Who carries out the airtightness test, energy audit and thermal retrofit?
These works are done by partners with the relevant qualifications. For each service we state whether we coordinate it or recommend a partner.
We coordinate – done by a partner
Carried out by: partner carrying out airtightness tests
Airtightness test (blower door)
After the airtight layer and before finishing; we are on site and seal our own penetrations.
We recommend a partner
Carried out by: qualified energy auditor
Energy audit
Assessment of the building and improvement options; we adapt the automation to the results.
We coordinate – done by a partner
Carried out by: partner carrying out insulation and window work
Thermal retrofit
Insulation and windows are done by a partner; we do the electrical installation, automation and shading control.
Interior design
Panels, lighting and switches planned together with the interior design.
Construction stages
When to plan installations in an energy-efficient house?
It costs least at the design or shell stage. The later it gets, the more changes to a wired installation require chasing walls; wireless systems are the exception.
| Stage | What we do then | Cost of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Guidelines for the design: distribution board, routes, external shading | lowest |
| Open shell | Conduits and penetrations without thermal bridges, Power supply for blind boxes | low |
| Closed shell (windows installed) | Blind and shading drives, Window contacts, Airtight installation penetrations | low |
| Before plastering | Cabling, Measurements, Presence at the airtightness test | medium |
| After plastering | Wireless systems (Loxone, Ampio, Somfy), Minimal wall chasing | higherapplies to wired installations; with a wireless system the cost does not increase |
| Renovation / retrofit | Assessment of the existing installation and distribution board, Wireless systems where there are no cables | higherapplies to wired installations; with a wireless system the cost does not increase |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you carry out energy audits and airtightness tests?
Not ourselves – the airtightness test is carried out by a partner, which we coordinate while sealing our own penetrations; for an energy audit we recommend a qualified auditor. We adapt the installations to the results.
Next step
Let us get in touch with your architect or site manager
We will agree the routes, penetrations through the airtight layer and the date of the airtightness test.