The company organized a technical conference aimed at architects of the downtown area
Velux proposes 'sustainable comfort' to address the new requirements in the building
Drafting Interempresas22/12/2008
December 22, 2008
VELUX Conference held on 11 December ' sustainable comfort – energy efficiency, interior comfort and solar energy ' addressed to architects of the municipalities in the zone Center of Spain, to delve into the new challenges facing the current architecture to the new measures arising from the EU to reduce energy consumption and emissions of CO
2 of all the Member States by 20 percent, with a view to 2020. By that date, all countries must justify that 20 percent of its energy comes from renewable energy sources.
The buildings are the largest consumers of energy, representing 40 per cent of total energy consumption in the EU. Europe wasted approximately 20 per cent of energy consumption, a figure that is increasing. The GHGs (greenhouse gas), have increased a 48.5 per cent since 1990, and it is expected that emissions are a 58,64 percent higher between 2008 and 2012.
More than 80 municipal architects gathered to delve into the new challenges facing the current architecture and to integrate the new requirements of energy saving in our buildings.
The building conceived as a whole
There is no doubt that the new regulations on the energy balance of buildings will change the architecture of the future and specifications for construction products and Spanish architects are interested in learning about new solutions that allow to reduce the consumption of energy in buildings to increase internal comfort, what Velux called 'sustainable comfort', a goal that is achieved through "energy efficiency, interior comfort and the use of renewable energy".
During the exhibition placed special emphasis on the need to maximize efficiency and minimize emissions of CO2, objective that will be considering the building as a whole and not as a mere sum of components, incorporating energy efficiency since the initial building design and using intelligent components capable of interacting on the basis of the environment.
A studied placement of Windows allows thermal solar gain and to ensure adequate ventilation, resulting in an energy savings of 30 %
The value of the Windows in the sustainable comfort
As regards the healthy indoor environment or internal comfort, the rapporteurs of the Conference stressed the need to invest in the development of an imaginative architecture from the holistic perspective, in which the choice of materials based on the conditions of the environment would lead to healthy and comfortable indoor environments. Within the multiple elements of the building, especially examined the value of the Windows as energy contributors. A very important parameter here is the strategic location of the Windows in relation to two possibilities: first its situation regarding the orientation of the building, in such a way that will allow the maximum advantage of the benefits of natural light and solar energy and secondly the optimization of natural ventilation. According to studies corroborated by the French Institute CSTB, studied positioning of Windows allows thermal solar gain and to ensure adequate ventilation, which leads to an energy saving of the energy consumption of housing for approximately 30 per cent.
Finally, in relation to renewable energy, the rapporteurs of Velux opt for the integration of the use of renewable energy as an essential part of the building to ensure a future with less dependence on fossil fuels.
It should incorporate energy efficiency from the initial design of the building and use smart components capable of interacting on the basis of the environment.
Velux range for energy efficiencyVelux creates living environments with daylight and fresh air through the cover. It presents a wide range of Windows for inclined deck or flat. In addition Velux offers a wide variety of decorative elements such as curtains of dimming, blinds, pleated curtains and Venetian blinds and sun protection blinds and external toldillos; products for remote control and thermal solar systems for production of hot water, solar thermal in the deck.
