2.0 Energy

Active Houses realise the great potential to use energy more efficiently in buildings

An Active House is energy efficient and supplied by renewable energy sources integrated in the building or from the nearby collective energy system and electricity grid.

Globally, heating, cooling and electricity in buildings account for 40% of all energy consumption. Considering the total energy consumption throughout the whole life cycle of a building, the energy performance and energy supply are important issues in the concern about climate changes, reliability of supply and reduced global energy consumption.

The design, orientation and products for an Active House are optimised to use as little energy as possible and to utilise renewable energy sources.

The design  of an Active House has to be based on the Trias Energetica approach to sustainable design. The main focus of the concept is the fact that the most sustainable energy source is saved energy.

1. Minimise the energy demand  of the building. To do so, use energy-efficient solutions and architectural measures, such as orientation, materialisation and shape of the building.
2. Source the remaining energy requirement as much as possible from renewable and CO2 -free energy sources, either on the build- ing, the plot or from the nearby energy system.
3. Any remaining energy demand may be met by using fossil fuels through highly-efficient energy-conversion processes.