THE KNOWLEDGE ASK THE EXPERT
Natural energy
Eco-building in the Alps, by Steven Downs
How do you make a new building eco-friendly? Our philosophy is to create buildings that work in harmony with the environment, harnessing the natural heat energy already present in the ground and air, then retaining and re-using that heat inside an airtight SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) shell. Incoming air is heated
completely passively before it enters the building, by drawing it through an underground pipe buried to a depth where the ground retains a constant warm temperature. It’s then further heated with energy transferred from outgoing warmed air, before it fi nally enters living areas fresh and pre-heated. Water and underfl oor heating comes from an air source heat pump which is three times more effi cient than a gas boiler. The heat in the home is then retained extremely effi ciently by the SIP structure, aided by triple and solar glazed windows. SIP panels have insulation
embedded in their core which retains heat in winter and
keeps the building cool in summer. Panels are made to measure in the factory and cut in the most economical way designed to minimise waste. Therefore, almost no waste is produced on-site. The SIP structure has a negative carbon footprint due to the manufacturing process and the use of recyclable materials, and the EPS foam insulation has zero Ozone Depletion Potential.
Does eco-building mean compromising on quality? We don’t compromise on design or quality of life. Not only are eco homes healthier for the planet, they’re healthier for homeowners to live in. The airtight SIP shell
allows us to control indoor air quality, using mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, fi ltering out toxins, contaminents and allergens and leaving fresh air circulating. Humidity from showering and cooking is effi ciently expelled and a consistent comfortable temperature can be maintained without using extra energy. SIP
structures also perform well in blocking and absorbing sound, including high frequency noises that can impact quality of life. They can be combined with
traditional carpentry to create Alpine chalets with exposed beams, or we can create a completely modern look with large open span areas. A SIP structure is signifi cantly stronger than a conventional timber frame because, instead of the weight of the structure being divided between a few studs, the whole envelope of the building shares the load. And because the panels are thinner than traditional walls and insulation we can save up to 10% more space internally.
What about running costs? Eco chalets require much less energy to keep them cosy, resulting in signifi cant savings on heating bills for homeowners – an important factor during this time of skyrocketing energy charges. Our chalets achieve AA
certifi cation for energy and emissions which means they’re almost passive. Recently completed project Chalet 25 in Montriond, Morzine in the Haute-Savoie, used just under 10,000kWh of electricity in 2023, compared to an average 200m2
property
with average insulation value that uses 33,411kWh per year (
fournisseurs-electricite.com/ compteur/consommation- electrique/maison). Taking the EDF base rate of €0.2276 per kWh, Chalet 25’s energy consumption cost €2,270,
compared to the average home cost of €7,604. That’s a saving for Chalet 25 of €5,334 per year. Air source heat pumps are
the renewable, low carbon alternative to traditional high carbon fossil fuel gas or oil-powered systems. These units heat your hot water and underfl oor heating with minimal environmental impact and cost. The outdoor unit extracts heat energy from the air (even in extremely cold temperatures of –20o
C) and
transfers it to heat the water. Working much more effi ciently, it will provide gentle heating over longer periods rather than quick boosts of heat on demand – ensuring a consistent perfect temperature and low running costs. It can also be used to cool the home in summer. The system can deliver
up to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes, as it transfers existing heat rather than converting it from a fuel, like combustion heating systems. A gas boiler will produce less than 1kW of heat energy for every kilowatt of gas consumed. A heat pump on the other hand harvests renewable energy from the outdoor air so will produce 3kW or more of heat energy for every kilowatt of electricity consumed – three to four times more effi cient than gas boilers. ■
Steven Downs runs ECSUS Design in the French Alps Tel: 0033 (0)6 85 20 48 09 (France); 07967 728009 (UK)
ecsusdesign.com
less energy to keep them cosy, saving on heating bills”
92 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024
“Eco chalets require much
© SHUTTERSTOCK
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