Clear focus during construction process aids low energy outcome

Energy efficiency should be prioritised
There are many demands in play before a new building is constructed: Price, design and functionality are often prioritised in all phases. The message in the Trust’s new Construction Process Guidelines is that energy efficiency is equally as important.

“Energy efficiency should be factored into the construction process from the moment the architect makes the first sketch, and in all the subsequent phases. This is the foundation for clients ending up with an energy efficient building,” says Henrik Teglgaard Lund, Head of Secretariat at the Danish Energy Saving Trust.

Freedom to choose the right solutions
Many construction clients have specific ambitions when it comes to constructing a low energy building. However, because they prioritise other aspects the parties involved in the construction often forget to focus on energy efficiency during the process. As a result they end up with a building that is less energy efficient than anticipated.

“The early planning stages provide the freedom to choose the right solutions, and this is cheaper than making changes later on. Construction clients should therefore retain the services of an energy evaluator at the appropriate stages throughout the process,” says Henrik Teglgaard Lund.

The Guidelines can stimulate debate
Henrik L. Bang, Director of the Association of Danish Construction Clients, welcomes the new Guidelines.

Energy efficiency in new buildings requires close cooperation between all parties early in the process, so it’s good to have a set of guidelines, on which construction clients can rely. Guidelines covering this area really were long overdue,” adds the Director.

Henrik L. Bang hopes that the Guidelines will lead to a professional debate that will result in the creation of new routines and check lists for how energy efficiency can be best prioritised, before and during the construction process.

Get hold of the Construction Process Guidelines
> You can download a copy of the Guidelines here

Five good tips for an energy aware construction process:

• Factor energy efficiency into the overall process
• Lay down specific requirements before entering into a contract
• Follow-up throughout the process – use an energy evaluator
• Focus on those parts of the building that use the most energy
• Factor operational costs into the planning