Energy Saving in Buildings...!

Researchers at BASF, Germany, have developed a new type of thermal insulator-NEOPOR-consisting of 2Ocm thick panels which are used for facade of buildings. They have proved that it is possible to build environmentally friendly homes for about the same price as conventional residences.

Renewable-energy devices and energy-saving features have to be introduced at every decision in the design process rather than bolt them on as an expensive afterthought. BASF have developed detailed designs, tracked down high-quality building materials and tested them in existing energy-saving buildings, thereby reducing the cost of future developments. The existing insulation in the roof, ceiling and cellar of the building has been replaced with NEOPOR. The interior walls of the building are coated with a special plaster that helps to keep rooms cool in summer without air-conditioning. About 10 litres of crude oil are needed to produce a NEOPOR panel with an area of 1 m2 and a thickness of 20 cm. Apart from good insulation in the buildings, the designers have also reduced the influence of "thermal bridges", such as thick bolts and screws that can conduct heat past the insulation. To minimize heat losses from thermal bridges, the apartment balconies are built as separate freestanding structures and the windows are tripleglazed to cut the heat loss.