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Energy efficiency – do you realize the potential?

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Case: Swan-labelled Housing In Herfølge

On a plot of ground in the town of Herfølge south of Copenhagen, a total of up to 80 “Swan” eco-labelled houses are being built. To gain the Swan eco-label, houses have to meet a range of requirements concerning both indoor environment and external environmental impact – the latter including strict specifications for energy efficiency in running the house. The modern, architect-designed houses are being built by companies with proven track records in eco-friendly construction.

The Herfølge project is Denmark’s first commercial foray into the area of environmentally friendly, Swan-labelled low-energy
housing. 24 construction companies will build a total of 64 detached houses and 12 terraced houses. All are being built to meet the following criteria:

good indoor climate
low energy consumption
built with eco-friendly materials
outdoor areas with varied plant species
active use and recycling of rainwater

Construction companies, architects, engineers and planners have collaborated across disciplines in an innovation process to find solutions that provide lower energy consumption, healthier indoor climate and better environment.

When construction is completed and all the properties are occupied, another phase of the project will begin. Information will be collected via interview questionnaires on householders’ experiences in the Swan eco-labeled homes. In addition, water consumption and energy consumption will be measured to see how the houses perform in actual daily use.

The Swan (Nordic eco-label)

Indoor environment requirements involve setting criteria for:

constituent materials
good ventilation
construction phase
materials and quality controls to prevent
damp damage.

External environment requirements involve:

energy efficiency in running the house
prohibition of environmentally hazardous
substances
environmentally suitable disposal of construction waste
service and maintenance plan for the house.

Related article: Where does your energy come from?
Energy is all around us: In the wind and waves, in solar rays, in agricultural by-products. The challenge is to harness this energy to make it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Energy efficiency – do you realize the potential?


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Edited October 2, 2009

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