An energy efficient Swan labeled house
A Swan labeled house must meet strict insulation standards. Heat escape points must be minimised, and heating systems must include heat recycling or solar technology.
THE SWAN. The Nordic Swan has developed at set of criteria for energy efficient, eco-friendly small houses (Photo: Jan Erik Stokke)
The first Norwegian swan labeled house was built at Lommedalen near Oslo in 2007.
Low heat loss
A large share of new houses in Norway is being constructed with balanced mechanical ventilation. And most new Norwegian homes have got balanced mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. But the issue of air-tightness has attracted little attention in building trade. The builders behind the first Norwegian Swan labeled small house in Lommedalen has paid attention by installing windows and doors that ensure heat to stay inside the building.
Strict requirements
A Swan-labelled house is a small house produced in accordance with strict requirements regarding the building process, materials and energy consumption. The house has a small impact on the environment as well as a good indoor climate. Since 2007 several swan labeled houses have been built in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Maintenance plan required
A Swan labeled house must have a maintenance plan for the house to ensure that the buyer is aware of the maintenance requirements. Such a plan contains information on how regularly parts require maintenance and special products that may need to be used. Both operation of heating and ventilation systems is included in the obligatory maintenance plan.
Photo: Mesterhus
Further reading:
- Ecolabel.no: Swan-labelling of Small houses [pdf]
- Norway announces first Nordic house ecolabel
- Nordic Ecolabelling
Swan labeled house
Insulation: 40 centimeters of insulation from Glava in the roof and 20 centimeters insulation in walls will secure low heat loss from the Swan labeled house in Lommedalen outside Oslo, Norway. The walls are also built to withstand strong wind.
Windows: Newly developed triple glazed windows from NorDan further ensures minimal heat loss. At the same time these windows ensure that solar heat enter the building.
Ventilation: Balanced mechanical ventilation from Systemair with heat recovery saves energy.
Heat: The first Norwegian Swan labeled house was built with solar heat equipment from SolarNor. This heating system supplies 50 percent of the energy needed for hot water.
Energy saved: Compared with similar houses, the Swan labeled house in Lommedalen saves about 40 kwh per square meter.
Visit the builder: www.mesterhus.no
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