Build taking advantage of the Sun's energy
July 10, 2008
The real estate sector and the energy are in a time of profound transformation and development. The agents that depend on this sector are becoming aware of the responsibility associated with the building in the environmental challenge. Architects, engineers, developers, public and political entities are every day more aware that they must generate support mechanisms to be build in an efficient manner.
In this regard, 2007 was characterized by a strong awareness of the various agencies, both national and European, to evolve in the construction sector and looking toward a sustainable energy future.
A starting point is the new technical building code, where the technical properties are specified to get efficient buildings. With all its virtues and defects, the CTE is a great breakthrough with regard to energy efficiency and their requirements find answers in the innovative construction solutions. For this reason, companies like Rehau have positioned themselves in the market as a reference to constructive evolution.
The 'building sector' comprises services which have a greater weight on the energy consumption of buildings: thermal installations (heating, air conditioning and hot water production) and interior lighting installations; both the household sector and the tertiary. As more direct indicator of this sector noted the growth of the surface buildings in Spain, in the period 1990-2005, it has been of 143 per cent, i.e. an average annual rate of 9.5 percent.
In the case of solar energy, the regulation sets a requirement relating to the production of domestic hot water is carried out with a compulsory contribution of solar thermal power will vary in a 30 and 70 per cent depending on the expected daily volume of water hot respondent.
REHAU makes it possible the use of energy from the Sun through single thermal energy equipment, systems that generate heat with a very high and constant performance, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Following in the footsteps of the legislation
2007 began with the adoption of Royal Decree 47/2007 which makes it compulsory certification of energy efficiency in buildings of new construction and which are they rehabilitated or whose reform project from 2007. Later, the new plan of action for the period 2008-2012, which detailed a series of measures for the use of renewable energy as well as economic incentives to ensure sustainability in the construction was approved in July of the same year. This plan was approved by the Council of Ministers and was integrated into the energy efficiency Action Plan at Community level, thereby contributing to a response from Spain, not only to the achievement of the commitment established in the directive 2006/32 CEwhich defined a framework of common effort to achieve energy savings of 9% in 2016, but also the much more ambitious objective, including in the decision of the European Council of March 9, 2007: levels of savings of 20 percent on the horizon of 2020.
With this new momentum towards sustainable construction the strategic bases for the sector should pursue settled: firstly consolidate the position of Spain in the vanguard of the savings and energy efficiency. Culture change very important it is to recognise an instrument of economic growth and social welfare savings and energy efficiency should be to reach this goal. In this sense, a company like Rehau, specializing in sustainable construction and utilization of natural energy, can respond to the new requirements of the sector.
A full programme of solutions for every need
In order to conform to current energy needs, the company has increased its range of forced solar systems - systems that, in contrast to the compact, contain a pump that causes the movement of the water-. According to criteria of geographical location of the property, number of inhabitants of the housing and required heat input, Rehau – Solect solar thermal energy provides the multiple possibilities for the preparation of systems adapted to each case.
The company distinguishes between the exclusive solar systems for domestic hot water facilities and which are also for heating support. In this sense, Rehau – Solect solar packages are the perfect complement to strengthen low temperature as the underfloor heating. Taking advantage of the synergy between both products, it is possible to provide an energy-efficient installation.
In addition, these solar packages have an interesting advantage in terms of comfort because they have all the components necessary for the proper functioning of the system. Thus, the customer acquires these solar packages with the assurance of dealing with a single provider and without having to procure accessory elements by other firms.
Also, installations of solar systems present an optimal performance due to the quality of all its components, have a long shelf life without loss of benefits and can be placed both in new home as a rehabilitated. Also, these packages solar - the largest of which is intended for a consumption of nine people - require minimal maintenance and can take full advantage of the available solar energy.
Apart from the numerous possibilities of making of the solar packages, systems Rehau – Solect programme also attached a list of prices of complementary accessories. Hydraulic groups, expansion tanks, fixing brackets and control units provides the team an added value in terms of efficiency and practicality.
Solar thermal energy is complemented with a high performance team: the Thermosiphon Rehau – Solect, an innovative system of solar panels designed to meet the demand of hot water for domestic use.
This system is composed of a small number of components: a solar collector of high-performance, an accumulator and a support of galvanized steel. The absorption of the collector plate is constructed with copper and has a coating of high selectivity that reinforces the performance. In addition, it has a solar glass that allows a coefficient of absorption of 91 per cent. The accumulator of double envelope - recently improved technical and aesthetic - is treated with an enamel vitrified and equipped with 50 mm high density polyurethane insulation.
The operation of the Thermosiphon Rehau – Solect is based on the simple principle of the Thermosiphon: the movement in the primary circuit is carried out by natural convection with density differences between cold and hot fluid. The collector fluid amounts to is warming as a result of solar radiation. Arriving to the accumulator, the fluid transfers its heat and cooling again towards the collector through return pipes. The team works without auxiliary power and can therefore be used in locations devoid of electricity.
