The difference of a building focused not on energy efficiency, but on minimizing costs, is as follows: the energy consumption of such a house is 40 to 90% lower than that of a conventional building. It can warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We offer you to see some of the so-called "thrifty" houses.

USA, Hudson River Valley

One of the most energy efficient houses is located in the state of New York. According to the estimates of architects, it consumes 90% less energy than the average house. In its design there are elements of the so-called "shed" architecture. The walls of the house are made of stone but decorated with wood. A gable roof without an attic is considered the most suitable for air circulation in the house. Heat-emitting elements are built into the concrete floor of the building.

Australia, New South Wales

Australia takes precedence for energy-efficient building construction. An example of such a house can serve a construction on Lake Krekenbek. The first floor of the building is buried in a hollow in the hill, wide glass facades facing the sun so that you do not need to turn on the light during the day. On the floor, there is polished concrete, in which there is a system of water heating, operating from the stove. The house is covered with a parabolic roof protecting from a strong wind.

Australia, Seaholme

Another Australian building can save up to 80% of energy. It has a number of features: the pipes of the ventilation system go in the ground for a meter and unfold under the lawn. The fan pushes warm air into the pipe, and it returns a few degrees colder. Due to this, owners do without air conditioning. The walls of this house seem to be turned inside out, the brick inside the house was preserved in its original form, and outside it is covered with a heater, plasterboard and metal profile.

Germany, Tübingen

Houses in Germany are built with practicality, placing emphasis on the thermal insulation of walls, windows, and doors. In a building in Baden-Württemberg, the walls of the house are finished with rubber, since artificial rubber keeps heat without additional heating. The building was constructed in the factory and assembled of 136 elements in place.

USA, Chevy Chase, Maryland

On the roof of a house in Maryland, an American couple built a garden. The couple decided to take care of the environment. Bulk roofing is an insulator, thanks to which in winter the house is warm, in summer it is cool. Rainwater is used to water the garden. The second half of the roof is designed for solar panels.

France, Bessancourt

French engineers have implemented a fairly simple and effective energy-saving technology: the glass facade of the house is finished with bamboo panels that can be folded. The panels are removed when the sun is shining, but if you need a shadow - the windows are hidden behind a bamboo siding. The design is supplemented by solar modules.

England, Hackbridge

BedZED is a real energy-efficient quarter in the London suburbs. All possible at the moment energy and resource saving principles were used in the construction of 99 townhouses. They are distinguished by thick walls, excellent thermal insulation, triple-glazed windows, etc. The heat received from the operation of the equipment goes exclusively to the heating of the dwelling. This was made possible by the heat recovery system. The quarter does not use oil products and gas, the boiler works on wood waste. As a result, the savings in heating are 90%.