Eco-house – a fad or a worthwhile solution?

Browsing houses for sale in Katowice, Warsaw, Wrocław or elsewhere in Poland, we may come across listings for so-called eco-houses. What are they? How are they built? What do we need to know about them? You will find the answers to all these questions in this article. Read on!

What is an ecological house?

When thinking of an ecological house, some of us picture a thatched country cottage with its own well and a whitewashed fence. That is not entirely true, however. There are a number of requirements concerning the structure, the roof, the building materials and the layout of the rooms that must be met for a house to be classified as "ecological". Put simply, an ecological house is a building which, thanks to suitable materials and architectural solutions, significantly reduces running costs, which helps to limit the damage done to the environment.

It is estimated that the energy consumption of an eco-house for heating and ventilation does not exceed 50 kWh/m2 per year, and the heat transfer coefficient (U) of the windows is 1.3-1.0 W/m² × K.

The simplest possible structure

The structure of an ecological house should be as simple as possible. All nooks, extra corners, bay windows and recesses encourage heat loss. Heat escapes from a room through every kind of joint. The point where walls and roof meet is particularly exposed to heat migration. That is why ecological houses are usually designed in the shape of a square, a rectangle or the letter "L". For people who would like to add variety to the building's form, this can be a significant drawback.

Natural materials

Natural raw materials are used to build an eco-house, preferably those available in the given region. The use of timber logs from deciduous or coniferous trees is very popular. Not only do they bring a mountain atmosphere to the surroundings, but their natural oils and resins also guarantee a lovely scent all year round.

A very convenient option is the use of timber-frame construction technology. The appropriate structure is delivered to the building site, which allows the elements to be assembled quickly. The frame can be filled with mineral wool or rock wool.

A roof without heat loss

The heat we have in our rooms rises, passes through the roof and escapes into the surroundings. It has been observed that energy losses are much smaller when the ratio of roof area to building volume is as small as possible. To achieve this, mono-pitch or gable roofs are chosen. A very popular approach is to use Le Corbusier's idea, that is, a flat roof. Flat roofs have far fewer joints with the walls, and this translates into better heat retention in the rooms.

A room layout facing two cardinal directions

The way we arrange the rooms in our home matters for ecological operation. The day zone is best oriented towards the south. We will then get more light. The sleeping area, on the other hand, should face north. A good solution is to choose large windows or entirely glazed walls, so that, especially in autumn and winter, the sun's rays can warm our room or kitchen.

Heat pump and photovoltaic panels – alternative energy sources

The structure and layout of the rooms are one thing, but alternative energy sources must also be used. Modern technologies develop day by day and allow us to obtain energy from non-traditional sources. Photovoltaic panels are one of them. Thanks to them, solar energy is converted into usable energy. Another environmentally friendly device is the heat pump. It works by drawing energy from low-temperature heat sources – air, ground, and surface and groundwater. An eco-house is heated using renewable energy sources. For this we can use biomass, eco-pea coal, pellets or wood.