​If for 4000 years we have built our houses in one way, in the next 30 years we will have to completely change our way of life and build our houses more energy efficient and ecological.

Since last year, in Romania, as in all other member states of the European Union, all buildings, which will be accepted on the basis of a building permit issued from January 1, 2021, must comply with the nZEB (“nearly zero energy building” standard) ) . This obligation has been in effect since the end of 2018 for public buildings.

The nZEB standard: A building with almost zero energy consumption is not a marketing tool

Buildings are a key element of EU energy efficiency policy as they account for around 40% of final energy consumption, and nZEB construction aims to reduce maintenance costs, energy consumption, CO2 emissions and water consumption. Europe wants to achieve carbon-neutral housing by 2050 by renovating and building new buildings.

Most people believe that these standards are just a marketing tactic that increases the value of housing without significantly improving the lives of tenants.

Let’s take them one by one. If a building faces well to the south and has the ability to generate electricity with photovoltaic panels and heat pumps, that building will run on the energy it produces from the sun and air, and absorb little to no traditional grid power.

So, if today’s energy bills are turning off the lights at many businesses, you see recent announcements of downsizing or even closing some manufacturing processes, the stress of energy bills can be eliminated in the future. It seems incredible, but nZEB buildings are highly energy efficient buildings, the energy demand from traditional sources (gas, electricity) is as low as possible or close to zero, and at least 30% is provided by renewable sources produced on site.

The houses are equipped with heat pumps, with deep wells that provide a temperature of 10⁰ Celsius regardless of the season. In the summer they can be used to cool the room, and in the winter they help with heating, since heating houses requires low energy consumption.

What else does the nZEB standard provide?

• Improving the insulation characteristics of external walls by using thicker brickwork, correspondingly better thermal insulation, to obtain a higher heat transfer coefficient (Umax= 4 W/m²·k);
• External PVC joinery with at least 5 rooms and triple glazing to obtain a higher heat transfer coefficient (Umax= 1 W/m²k);
• Centralized ventilation system with humidity sensors (which provides ventilation of rooms as needed, without the need to open windows – the main source of energy loss);
• Implementation of an automatic temperature control system at the level of each room;
• Energy-efficient lighting solutions (LED lighting sources, presence sensors);
• Equipping at least 20% of parking spaces with charging stations for electric cars;
• Providing at least 30% of the energy required for the building by installing photovoltaic panels.

From the above, only one thing seems to bother us. After 4,000 years of being taught to open windows to get fresh air, in the next 20-25 years we should get used to the idea that we don’t have to open windows to ventilate our homes.

The most common problems in the EU countries are related to the training of personnel and the increase in the price of construction materials. Owners and investors are interested in sustainable buildings because there is a huge difference between an electricity bill of 120 lei or 1200 lei per month. It is important for the beneficiaries to understand that the higher investment costs are quickly amortized during operation – due to lower maintenance costs, but also the degree of comfort will increase (for example, the temperature in the house will be more pleasant in the summer due to the materials used and the geographical orientation of the structure).

Teodora Danilo, ESG & IR Director – IMPACT Developer & Contractor

What does BREEAM Excellent mean?

BREEAM is a globally recognized certification program that certifies that a building has been designed with respect for the environment. The most important factors evaluated are the integration of design into the environment, carbon reduction, sustainability and sustainability of projects, adaptation to climate change, environmental protection and biodiversity.

Buildings designed to BREEAM Excellent standards have a low environmental impact, reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, and a significant impact on improving the quality of life, with the well-being of residents being an important aspect pursued by this certification. In other words, projects built to BREEAM Excellent standards provide residents with a healthy and comfortable environment both indoors and outdoors. How do I do this? Well, using low-polluting building materials and paints, using excellent thermal insulation, intelligent lighting systems, highly efficient ventilation systems, central units and, very importantly, providing places to relax.

What brings BREEAM Excellent over nZEB is the wellbeing component. Where nZEB is mainly about energy efficiency, BREEAM Excellent involves, among many other things, an approach from the occupants’ point of view. This is why green space plays a very important role in this certification, providing plenty of green space is essential. At the same time, to maintain the well-being of the street as well as reduce pollution, the parking lots should be underground, and green vehicles and traffic restrictions within the complex are encouraged.

Another important criterion for the BREEAM Excellent standard is the provision of natural lighting in all spaces, as according to research, natural light has many beneficial effects on people’s health and well-being. Hence, to meet this requirement, solar energy studies are carried out during the building design phase and large glazed areas are provided.

In Iasi, GREENFIELD Copou will raise the level of residential projects

IMPACT Developer & Contractor will develop the first nZEB residential project in Iasi, which will also have a BREEAM Excellent certificate. In this way, an entire ecosystem will be created that will take into account energy efficiency, sustainability and well-being.

The GREENFIELD Copou complex is designed to fit harmoniously into the natural environment in which it will be built: Copou Hill, with a panoramic view of the botanical garden. The complex combines 1,062 “green” apartments with large glazed spaces and includes a wide range of facilities to ensure the comfort and well-being of residents: 15,000 m2 of green spaces, with alleys and playgrounds for children, a fitness and recreation club, an indoor area. and an outdoor swimming pool, underground parking exclusively for residents, parking spaces and charging stations for electric vehicles. In addition to all these benefits intended for residents, the developer adds commercial spaces, kindergartens and after-school facilities, with the aim of developing a sustainable and sustainable community. Thus, GREENFIELD Copou will become one of the largest sustainable residential complexes on the territory of Moldova.

The benefits of buildings built to nZEB and BREEAM Excellent standards

So, by choosing a home in an nZEB green building certified BREEAM Excellent, you will benefit from:

• Safety – the materials used are durable, buildings have a longer service life
• Reduction of maintenance costs due to the efficiency of energy and water consumption
• Cleaner air both outside and inside
• Thermal and visual comfort
• Healthy Lifestyle
• House appreciation over time. Eco-friendly designs are more valuable, have lower operating and maintenance costs. Because their high quality is evident to owners, tenants and users, they are easier to sell or rent. And in Romania, the demand for certified housing is constantly growing.

BY IMPACT Developer and contractor, Teodora Dănilă, ESG & IR Director

The article was developed by IMPACT Developer & Contractor