Active House will become the common standard for new buildings in 2020

On Tuesday 18 May, MEPs approved the EU's new energy efficiency legislation for buildings, which will help consumers to cut their energy bills and the EU as a whole to hit its climate change target of using 20% less energy in ten years' time. Member States will have to alter their building codes so that all new buildings constructed from the end of 2020 meet high energy-saving standards.

 The revised directive require that all new buildings from 2020 must have high energy-saving standards and, to a large extent, use renewable energy integrated into the building or nearby energy supply system. It is the same as one of  the 3 main topics of the vision for Active House. An Active House is energy efficient and all energy needed is supplied by renewable energy sources integrated in the building or from the nearby collective energy system and electricity grid.

 The other two main topics of the Active House Vision, Indoor Climate and Environment are also covered by the revised directive.  An Active House creates healthier and more comfortable indoor conditions for the occupants and the building ensures generous supply of daylight and fresh air. Materials used have a positive impact on comfort and indoor climate. The Directive recommend to use natural cooling techniques, primarily those that improve indoor climatic conditions, as well as it recommend to include adequate natural light into the design and methodology of the building.

The revised directive and the Active House vision both shows the path towards the future building, however still a lot of learning is needed and in this sense the Active House and the future Active House Alliance will be very valuable.

Files:

EPBD revision (2010)05386.pdf