DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY-SAVING HOUSES AROUND THE WORLD

Abstract

More and more people realize we need to save energy. Firstly because our fossil energy sources are decreasing. The estimated years of production for oil, gas and coal are 45, 65 and 200 years respectively. Over the past decades, the uncontrolled extraction and wasteful use of non-renewable energy resources has brought humanity closer to the global crisis of world fuel supplies, as well as to a significant deterioration of the environmental situation on the planet: climate warming, diseases, pollution of the atmosphere, rivers, and forests. Experts predict that, moving at such a rate, we will completely consume reserves of natural energy resources (gas, oil, coal) in the next fifty years. Serious energy crisis in the 1970s of the XX century forced Europe to think about environmental problems and start developing ecological projects. To restrict the climate change a large number of countries have made agreements on CO2 reduction. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed, according to which states should limit the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. To accelerate energy saving in the built environment, housing associations should apply low- energy techniques in existing houses that are in need of renovation. Because of a lack of knowledge it is difficult for housing associations to determine which low-energy technique has the best results for energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In this decision support tool will be developed with a tendency in energy performance requirements at construction level including aspects such as houses, living quality.