Innovierende kleine und mittlere Unternehmen in Berlin-West und Technologieförderprogramme in den Bundesländern. Expertise

In the Landstuhl project was studied how much active and passive solar energy use can contribute to energy conservation in one-family houses. For the first time, lived-in solar houses were measured with respect to their energy consumption over several years. In periods when energy prices had increased rapidly, high energy savings have been expected from solar energy use as it was the case in the United States under the conditions of a high solar radiation. The findings of the project show that in the middle European climate an excellent insulation of walls and windows is the most important measure in order to save energy. Solar architecture should not be seen as a short-term financial gain. Investments in insulation result in higher energy savings than investments in solar energy use do. Passive solar components such as large south-faced glazings or greenhouses can contribute a small part to energy saving when they are adequately designed and used. They cause a good indoor climate and a high living quality and give many possibilities for attractive designs; therefore architects and owner-builders appreciate solar architecture very much. The living behaviour influences the energy consumption strongly, above all indoor temperatures and ventilations habits. The inhabitants should therefore be informed on the interrelations between heating, ventilation, temperatures, indoor climate, and energy comsumpting.