Jose Manuel Llavona

Official application guide of the DB-HE 2019 of the new Technical Building Code

10/09/2020

is already published DB-HE Application Guide 2019 in the absence of a few days (as of September 24) so that the new CTE 2019 be mandatory application. Its objective is to facilitate, to the different building agents, the knowledge and application of the new DB-HE included in Royal Decree 732/2019 of December 20.

This guide completes the set of technical support documents that respond to the strategy of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda to facilitate the application of building regulations and broaden their knowledge among technical personnel working in the field of the building.

The document is designed for building agents who are going to apply the DB-HE or want to have a deeper knowledge in relation to other actions within the field of building other than the project itself. Its content is structured in a brief introduction, six chapters, one per section of the DB, and an annex.

The objective is that the technicians can solve all the doubts that arise in relation to the fulfillment of the new requirements. General aspects, application scheme, compliance and concepts of interest are included.

This Basic Document (DB) Its purpose is to establish rules and procedures that allow the basic requirements of energy saving to be met..

In accordance with the transitory provisions of Royal Decree 732/2019, this new version of the DB-HE will be mandatory for new construction works and interventions in existing buildings for which, in both cases, a municipal works permit is requested from as of September 24, 2020. For those for which the municipal works license is requested before that date, its application is voluntary, and the previous version of the document may also be applied.

Support documents:

DA DB-HE/1: Calculation of characteristic parameters of the envelope (January 2020)
DA DB-HE/2: Verification of limitation of superficial and interstitial condensation in the enclosures
DA DB-HE/3: Thermal bridges
DB-HE Reference climates: Descriptive document reference climates
DB-HE MET: Climates Data files of all climate zones
Change History: Supporting Documents Change History

The guide can be downloaded directly from the CTE website by clicking here.

If you need information, we will be happy to answer you.

Requirements to install electric underfloor heating

20/08/2020

Sometimes, our clients, and in the case of reform works, ask us how thick our heating system reaches, since this type of project is conditioned and limited, to a large extent, to the current heights of the house.

In the sections that we accompany you, the two installation models of the system are detailed, whether it is a “cold” final floor (porcelain, stoneware, marble, etc.) or a laminate floor, parquet, wood, vinyl, etc. .

Cold tile floors, porcelain, stoneware, ceramic, etc.

Heating system thickness = 2.07 cm
G-600 polyethylene cloth (0.30 mm)
Radiant foil (0.40 mm)
Extruded rigid insulation (20 mm)
(Possibility, if there is a height limitation, of installing a 6 mm extruded insulation with which the heating system would occupy 0.67 cm)

Examples of installation and total thicknesses

Ceramic (8 mm) + dry screed (20 mm) + polyethylene (0.30 mm) + radiant foil (0.40 mm) + insulation (20 mm) = 4.87 cm
Ceramic (8 mm) + dry screed (20 mm) + polyethylene (0.30 mm) + radiant foil (0.40 mm) + insulation (6 mm) = 3.47 cm
(If self-leveling is installed instead of dry screed, 1 cm must be added to the previous thicknesses)

Wood, laminate, vinyl floors

Heating system thickness = 0.67 cm
Double G-600 polyethylene cloth (0.30 mm)
Radiant foil (0.40 mm)
Extruded rigid insulation (6 mm)

Examples of installation and total thicknesses

Laminate (8 mm) + polyethylene (0.30 mm) + radiant foil (0.40 mm) + insulation (6 mm) = 1.47 cm
Laminate (8 mm) + polyethylene (0.30 mm) + radiant foil (0.40 mm) + insulation (20 mm) = 2.87 cm

In this last option we want to make special mention of the design of the heating installation, occupying thicknesses of 1.87 cm and even less than this value, depending on the thickness of the laminate. As well as special mention to the speed and cleanliness of the installation.

If you need information about electric underfloor heating, we will be happy to answer you. We are specialists.

How to store free energy from the sun?

14/08/2020

In this article we will discuss how to store photovoltaic energy making our radiant heating system more profitable.

The mode is none other than through batteries for self-consumption.

And what do they consist of? Well, they are simply devices capable of accumulating the electrical energy obtained in excess during the hours of sunlight for its subsequent use. There are currently different models and choosing the right battery depends on some factors. We detail the possible options…

Types of batteries for solar energy

Lead-acid batteries

Also called monoblock batteries, they are one of the easiest to obtain and install and, therefore, one of the most used for self-consumption; Recommended for small spaces such as homes and/or premises.

lithium batteries

They are much more functional regarding their size and weight. They can be installed in any room without taking up much space and, in addition, they offer complete discharges without emitting gases.

deep cycle batteries

They are specially designed to be used daily, since their utility cycle extends up to 7 years. Its installation is extremely useful in places where continuous and powerful downloads are needed, because it is capable of doing them without damaging the battery.

AGM batteries

AGM batteries are a safe and efficient option in spaces with a lot of vibrations. The acid that powers them has a minimal risk of spillage, so they can be easily installed in places that need maximum security.

Which to choose?

Of all these types of batteries we must highlight lead-acid and lithium. Look at the following comparison so that you can choose the most suitable one.

Lithium batteries are more expensive at first, but if we compare them with lead-acid, the former are undoubtedly more cost-effective.
Lithium batteries are maintained once a year, while lead-acid batteries must be checked monthly and with water recharges at least 4 times a year.
Lithium batteries have a charge efficiency of 97%; those of lead-acid, just an 85%.
It is possible to expand lithium batteries with other models, but in lead-acid batteries it is not recommended to do so.
Lithium batteries are safer because they don't emit gases, unlike lead-acid batteries that emit corrosive chemicals.

According to these factors, lithium batteries have more advantages than those of lead-acid within self-consumption facilities.

So far, a description of the advantages of installing these types of devices that will enable, even more if possible, the qualities of our underfloor heating system.

If you need more information, we will be happy to answer you.

The importance of the thermostat to save on your electric bill

13/08/2020

Temperature control in a heating system is one of the most important sections for said system to be as energy efficient as possible, basing its operation on intelligent thermal regulation. First of all, we must clearly define how we can manage our heating system. For this we have some small devices called thermostats whose basic function is to keep the system on only when it is really necessary, depending on the ambient temperature.

These devices affect two key temperatures:

inertia temperature: minimum temperature in the house.
Comfort temperature: the one that the home must reach so that its inhabitants are comfortable.

In this article we will analyze the options available in the market…

types of thermostats

analog thermostats

These manual wheel thermostats turn the heating on and off to keep the set temperature constant. Its temperature reading is unreliable and it has been some time since they have fallen out of use in the market.

digital thermostats

They are more efficient and precise than the previous ones. They have a digital LCD liquid crystal display where we can see the temperature of the room and the temperature that we really want.

programmable thermostats

Also called chronothermostats. They are smart, digital and programmable thermostats. With them you can program the heating on and off throughout the week with multiple time slots, at the time you want, reducing consumption and avoiding energy waste.

Smart timer thermostats with Wi-Fi

We arrive at star in thermal regulation. With its technology they can turn on, turn off, manage and program the heating remotely through a Smartphone or tablet.

They have a built-in sensor that controls the temperature of the pavement so that it does not exceed the established limits. They are convenient to program, with precise and accurate thermal reading reliability in real time. They have a backlit screen and time reserve in the event of a specific power outage.

Being its individual installation in each heated area, this allows us perfect control of our radiant heating, which results in a high energy efficiency of the heating system.

The electric radiant sheet guarantees comfort to our body

11/08/2020

The feet is the point of the human body where there are more nerve endings and with it, it is the area that is most sensitive to cold. Hence, our underfloor heating transmits heat to them that gives us a pleasant sensation of comfort to the rest of the body.

Our radiant foil heating system creates hardly any air movement. Other convection systems do generate it by making dust and bacteria always in suspension, therefore, the system is highly recommended for hospitals, nurseries or geriatric residences.

Through a intelligent management through Wi-Fi chronothermostats allows you to adjust the room temperature and reduce energy consumption at the same time; In this way, air conditioning requires low supply temperatures and, therefore, the energy consumption of our system is much lower compared to other systems.

It's the only one heating system recommended by the World Health Organization, since it takes into account the absence of visible objects or pipes that could cause burns, as well as less environmental dryness.

Being installed underground we forget to place elements on the walls such as radiators or convectors. The living space is thus completely free and clear, leaving complete freedom for interior design.

Unlike the system with hot water, our radiant system would occupy a thickness of 0.67 cm, ideal in the case of reforms. Our system even allows a dry installation, without works, under a laminate floor and on top of an existing floor.

It is one of the preferred systems and mostly installed by our cold Nordic neighbors such as Sweden or Denmark.

As you have seen, information is essential. Therefore, when choosing a heating system for our home, it is advisable to let yourself be advised by experts in air conditioning, who will know how to assess the technical requirements of your home to achieve the greatest comfort with the minimum expense.

If you need information about electric radiant film, we will be happy to answer you. We are specialists.

Rehabilitation, a good business in times of crisis

10/08/2020

Although the objective of energetically renovating 1.2 million houses in the next decade was defined by the Government before Covid-19, this line of action is now revealing itself as a good business capable of attracting a large amount of European funds, which would increase the public revenue between 1,000 and 4,000 million euros each year.

Rehabilitation is one of the levers that the construction sector identifies as a driving force not only for its activity, but also for the economy after the health crisis. Only energy rehabilitation in the building sector could create among 33,000 and 88,000 jobs.

Homes officially account for 40 % of polluting emissions. A percentage that rises to 56 % if other buildings are added, compared to 13 % represented by cars, according to the Passivhaus Building Platform, which, since 2008, has been promoting the construction of highly efficient buildings without profit.

Its president, Bruno Gutiérrez, considers that four out of five buildings are inefficient, which means that they do not have adequate levels of thermal insulation or even lack it, that they have uncontrolled air leaks that affect energy consumption and do not use efficient generation systems.

From the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma) It has already been said that it will draw up a plan, in principle for the next two years, for the amount of 2,000 million euros, to rehabilitate 120,000 homes per year.

In total, what is planned by the Government is to mobilize an investment of 27,122 million euros throughout the decade, of which 27 % (7,307 million) would come from public funds (state and European), for the rehabilitation of the envelope heating of 1.2 million homes and the replacement of some 3,845,000 heating installations.

In the sector they are optimistic and at the recent summit of the CEOE, the president of the National Construction Confederation (CNC), Juan Lazcano, stressed that allocating 2,000 million euros to rehabilitate 120,000 homes a year would generate wealth worth 52,000 million. "The sector has the capacity to be the engine and base of a lasting economic recovery," said Juan Lazcano.

Of course, the employers demand tax discounts linked to the energy rating of buildings, establish a Reduced VAT on rehabilitation and that aid and subsidies are not taxed as an increase in wealth.

From the General Council of Economists of Spain It is considered that construction must be one of the sectors that now leads the recovery, maintaining investments in strategic projects, "especially those linked to housing rehabilitation -especially in matters of energy saving- and areas related to the sustainability, climate change and digitization, which will result in a greater competitiveness of our country”.

The National Association of Distributors of Ceramics and Building Materials (Andimac) points out that already in 2008 the rehabilitation pulled the construction. “And again it is time to activate rehabilitation policies. It is an investment in which most of the countries in Europe are one or two decades ahead of us. It's also an obligation." At the moment “in the rehabilitation is the great market niche. It generates more employment than any other activity, it requires more skill, more training, it is a more stable activity”, points out Andimac.

Source: ABC, La Información, El Periódico de la energía.