Climate-friendly building: How to make Swiss real estate green!

Climate-friendly building: How to make Swiss real estate green!

The construction of new properties in Switzerland is increasingly influenced by the desire for environmental sustainability. Topics such as energy efficiency and sustainable building materials are in focus as Switzerland aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These ambitions are also reflected in its ranking in the Energy Transition Index 2021, in which Switzerland takes fourth place behind Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Nau.ch reports. Real estate contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, primarily through heating and electricity consumption. The use of environmentally friendly technologies and materials is therefore essential.

A growing trend is zero-energy and plus-energy houses. While zero-energy houses are powered entirely by renewable energy, plus-energy houses also release energy into the grid. This construction method often uses solar energy. Well-thought-out construction methods reduce heat loss and thus further reduce energy consumption. What's particularly notable is that plus-energy houses generate more energy than they use - including heating, hot water and electricity. The photovoltaic system on the roof plays a central role by producing electricity from solar energy during the day. Surpluses can be stored or fed into the grid. Allplan adds this.

Sustainable technologies and materials

The Minergie standard regulates the guidelines for sustainable real estate and promotes the use of natural building materials. Wood is making a comeback as a sustainable building material thanks to its ability to bind CO2 and its origin from responsible forestry. Recycling materials and circular economy concepts are also becoming increasingly important when planning new projects.

According to the Federal Statistical Office (Bfs), every fourth single-family home in Switzerland has a heat pump, the number of which has increased fivefold since the turn of the millennium. There are currently 44,104 single-family homes with photovoltaic systems, which will only cover 8.25 percent of electricity needs in 2023.

Critical reflection on real estate sizes

In the discussion about sustainable construction methods, people are increasingly questioning whether large properties are actually necessary to save resources. Compact designs and thermal bridge-free insulation ensure optimal sealing of the buildings. Large window fronts, on the other hand, allow daylight and increase the well-being of the residents, while special glazing helps to keep heat inside. Extended roofs also protect against overheating in summer and use deeper sun rays in winter to utilize heat.

Overall, there is a clear trend towards the integration of sustainable practices and technologies in real estate construction in Switzerland. These developments are important not only for environmental protection, but also for the future quality of life of the population.