ᐅ Summer Thermal Insulation Energy Saving Regulations 2007 for Single-Family Homes

Hello everyone,

For our single-family house, an energy saving calculation was done according to the 2007 requirements.

Now, the energy saving regulation states: "The summer heat protection is fulfilled according to DIN 4108-2:2003-07 Section 8."

Where can I find the part in the energy saving regulation where the summer heat protection is calculated? Or does the builder have to provide me with a calculation?

The temperatures inside the house are very high starting in March. In the attic during the day, it reaches around 30°C (86°F) with peak values up to 36°C (97°F). On the upper floor it’s not as bad but still clearly above 26°C (79°F), peaking up to 32°C (90°F). Even on the ground floor, many days have temperatures above 30°C (86°F).

Thank you very much for any response.

Hello,

bernd007 schrieb:
..now this Energy Saving Ordinance states "The summer heat protection complies with DIN 4108-2:2003-07 Section 8."

The general contractor probably forgot this. Usually, the proof of summer heat protection is part of the Energy Saving Ordinance documentation for the construction project. However, this requirement is somewhat neglected in the ordinance, so this document is not very valuable. You are always on the safe side when passive, constructive options are utilized already during the planning stage and, similar to the heating load calculation, a cooling load calculation is performed. However, when discussing this with clients, most prefer to save the costs for this calculation, only to end up either sweating or paying for technical cooling solutions.

Best regards.

hello euro,

thank you very much for your reply.
We would have gladly paid for a cooling load calculation, but unfortunately no one offered it to us. According to the builder, there should be no issues in summer.

Is the proof of the SoWS mandatory or just optional?

Best regards

Hello,

bernd007 schrieb:
.... according to the general contractor, there should be no problems in summer.

It is quite clear here that this is actually not true. 🙁 In the contract with the general contractor, it certainly does not say: " ... indoor temperatures below 24°C (75°F) will be maintained during the summer heat period...."!

bernd007 schrieb:
.... is the proof of the summer thermal protection mandatory or just optional?

Well, a formal proof is provided, quote: "The summer thermal protection is fulfilled according to DIN 4108-2:2003-07, section 8." Unfortunately, your example clearly shows how practically worthless this is 😡
General contractor projects are usually cheap, and low long-term costs for heating, hot water, and indoor climate are not their main focus! I am quite sure that for your project, there is neither a heating load calculation, nor a heating surface dimensioning, nor an energy consumption forecast available—not to mention the summer thermal protection (cooling load calculation)!
If the need for technical cooling to achieve acceptable indoor temperatures during the summer heat period were to be included in the primary energy balance in this case, the project would result in dramatically high energy consumption costs.

Best regards,

NB: The majority of home builders choose a general contractor because it apparently seems "affordable," but the unpleasant surprises (money pits) usually come afterward when hardly anything can be changed anymore!

Hello,

thank you very much.
It’s not that bad. A heating load calculation was carried out.
The consumption values are acceptable, although not outstanding.
For about 250 m2 (2700 sq ft) of usable area and a lot of window surface, approximately 520 euros.
The heating system is a Tecalor air-to-water heat pump with controlled ventilation.

I think the window area is the problem in summer.
Of course, with active cooling, it becomes expensive.

Affordable is relative; we didn’t go for the cheapest option.
Still, there were shortcomings in some other areas.

Best regards

Hello,
I adjusted the bivalence point from -5 to -9 and will probably lower it even further. When the immersion heater kicks in, I can also heat the house using the waste heat from the electricity meter 🙂

Best regards