| Energy Saving – Energy Performance in Buildings |
| Sunday, 03 August 2008 23:28 |
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Household energy use accounts for around thirty percent of all energy used in Malta. The typical household wastes a considerable amount of this energy each year, mainly due to poor building practices and design. Malta responded to the EU buildings directive by Legal Notice 238 of 2006 (Minimum Requirements on the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations. This came into force on 1st November 2006 and requires that the Minimum requirements would start to apply to all new building permit applications and also to existing buildings that would undergo major renovation or alteration as from 2nd January 2007. Some of these Minimum Specifications look like a common sense return to past practice; like the measure related to having a well for the collection and conservation of rainwater. Yet one wonders how many new buildings are implementing this specific regulation. The building boom of the 1990s had seen the quality of buildings from the point of view of energy performance go down steadily, so that living and working spaces became more and more dependent on active and energy-expensive systems to achieve the needed comfort levels. These negative developments covered the whole spectrum of building from large public and commercial to standard residential units. Like better technology for transportation and power generation, the technology for more efficient motors, appliances, windows, homes, and manufacturing processes is here today. These simple solutions save consumers money and can have an enormous impact on climate change at the same time. Seal against Air Leaks Keep conditioned air inside your home where it belongs. Sealing against air leaks is one of the most important things your builder can do to ensure overall comfort and lower energy bills in your new home. Most air leakage problems are found in the areas windows and staircases. Make sure your builder has identified these potential trouble spots in your home building plan and that steps will be taken to properly seal them. Insulate Insulation creates a barrier between your home and the outdoor elements. It is very important to insulate walls, roofs and storage areas. Choose Energy Efficiency Windows Windows are beautiful additions to your home, but they can waste energy by letting in drafts, drawing out heat in winter, and baking your home in summer. Choose windows with good insulation values, such as double and triple-paned windows. Some have an insulating gas (like argon) between the panes, which insulates better than air. There are also windows with special clear coatings, called "low-e" windows, which reflect heat. The frames and spacers between panes should also be considered. Wood, vinyl and fibreglass are better insulators than standard aluminium frames. With proper building regulations and effective enforcement there is a potential to reduce Malta’s energy requirements and greenhouse gases emissions. This will ultimately be of benefit to each and every one of us and in the process every household will be saving on expenses too. |
