Dilemmas in energy renewal: A Danish perspective

Households in Europe are considered to have the largest cost-effective energy-saving potential. This large potential, however, is in the existing residential buildings, and most of these were built before 1950. If serious energy savings are to be met in the near future, it is necessary to carry out intensive renewal of these old buildings. Large investment, however, should include progressive solutions regarding usability and comfort. Also, changes to the buildings should be carried out using sound solutions without the risk of disturbing the moisture balance resulting in mould growth or deterioration. Large-scale renewal for energy saving could be carried out using the technology of custom-made prefabrication already known today. One of the key issues in future energy-saving renewal is accepting changes to the exterior fa‡ade of old buildings.