Low-energy houses

The construction of houses to the low-energy or passive standard is undeniably becoming commonplace – with regard to the constantly increasing energy requirements of humanity there isn’t really any other option.

The most characteristic attribute of such buildings is their very low heat consumption, thanks to which electric heating is becoming the most advantageous power source – it’s highly efficient, easy to control, and offers the most advantageous ratio between acquisition and operating costs. FENIX, as a specialist in electric heating systems, pays very close attention to low-energy and passive housing issues. We conduct studies, monitor real structures, and seek and develop new products which have the necessary parameters to meet the requirements of these buildings. This topic is so important for us that we have decided to create an independent section for it.

Reasons for using electric heating, model comparisons, EPBD

Share of heating in electricity consumption in an LEH – results of the monitoring of electricity consumption for heating using a subsidiary electricity meter, and a payback period estimate for a heat pump
Heating of an LEH using electricity and gas – a comparison of the costs of two monitored buildings
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – EPBD certificates for buildings heated using electricity

Reference buildings and real energy consumption

Family house in Písečná near Jeseník – ECOFLOOR underfloor heating, BMR control, PV with 7.2 kWh storage
Family home in Velká Bystřice near Olomouc – ECOFLOOR heating cables and BMR central regulation
Family home in Nitrianske Hrnčiarovce (SK) – ECOFLOOR and ECOFILM floor heating
Family home in Pilsen – ECOFLOOR floor heating, ECOFILM ceiling heating, BMR central regulation
Family home in Hošťálkovice – ECOFLOOR floor heating
Family home in Rasošky – heating using ECOFILM ceiling foils and ECOFLOOR floor heating
Family home in Jeseník – ECOFILM and ECOFLOOR floor heating, ECOFLEX direct-heating convection heaters, BMR central regulation
Family home in Nedožery-Brezany (SK) – ECOFLOOR floor heating
Family home in the Rakovník region – ECOFLOOR floor heating, BMR central regulation
Energy-saving house in Moravany – a trilogy concerning an energy-saving house in Moravany u Brna; it describes the building from the initial design phase up to its final realization, and then covers practical experience with the building since it’s been in use
Family home in Běleč nad Orlicí – ECOFLOOR floor heating
Family home in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm – ECOFILM and ECOFLOOR floor heating, BMR central regulation
Family home in Velký Týnec – ECOFLOOR floor heating
Family home in Pilsen (II.) – ECOFLOOR floor heating, BMR central regulation
A family home in Zelená Hora – a combination of floor heating and radiant panels

Recommended products

For low-energy houses and passive houses, heating systems with low wattages and surface temperatures are the most suitable. ECOFILM heating foils fulfil these requirements ideally, as they have been developed specifically for these applications – ceiling foils with a wattage of 100 W/m² (you can find an article about ceiling foils here…) and floor foils with a wattage of only 40 W/m². The complete production range can be found in the ECOFILM section.
Another product suitable for LEHs is the GR glass radiant panel, which combines the simplicity and elegance of glass with energy efficiency and the comfort of radiant heating. Low wattages, radiant heating and low operating costs make these heating panels ideal for use in LEHs and passive houses. More information can be found in the section on GR glass panels.
New ECOSUN G radiant panels can be used as an alternative to GR panels. They are structurally designed so that they can also be installed in a horizontal position on the ceiling. You can find more details in the ECOSUN G section.