Renovating my house or my apartment requires a certain intellectual journey among themultipleoptions of the technical solutions that are frequented today: electricity, gas, the integration of renewable energies, home automation, etc . ... Then comes one of the most decisive stages: who will perform the selected work? Which installer has the capacity to perform my installation with the knowledge of the appropriate technique and that meets my proposed objectives? ! Energy saving and reliability is the key! Inthe right time to meet my expectations. What happens if the installed heat pump does not work properly? If supportive resistance is needed unexpectedly? If the solar panels do not give priority to hot water, or if the time schedule is not set correctly?
By renovating and improving the energy performanceof our home, we are tending towards sometimes complex concepts, such as bioenergy, home automation ... Theunique solution "central heating" is not so unique. Nowadays the technical solutions are multiple and include several techniques (insulation, boilers with solar thermal support energy, photovoltaic solar panels with the sale of surplus energy to electricity companies,double flow ventilation, automatic management ofblinds based on sunlight, etc.
It is also necessary to know the aid and subsidies available, in the Autonomous Communities and in the IDAE, etc.
We face a simple problem: improving the energy efficiency of the house, with a number of technical and economic solutions.
After the selection of the solution, an important step:the choice of the installer
The installer is the key element of the solution, he must demonstrate his competence and experience and keep up to date with the latest techniques. The complexity of the overall concept of energy efficiency also applies to himself, who must demonstrate his expertise in its application and maintenance to achieve an installation that works and generates the expected energy savings. In a word so that the investment is recovered, and controlled with management
The responsibility of the installer involves applying his technique to obtain the desired results!
Any installer is not the right one. Only a professional trained in "energy saving" can perform an installation that generates energy savings. Remember that the responsibility of the installer tends to extend not only to the technical installation itself, but also to the expected results. Should the support resistance of the system be used unexpectedly? Or if the solar panels do not give priority to hot water, or if the time schedule is not set correctly? ! Obviously, a poor energy balance increases the time of return on investment, so you should look for the likely responsibility of the installation!
Let's focus on a significant example: the replacement of windows + new gas boiler with solar panels in a home
This example can be the result of a working group and is a significant investment, approximately € 25,000. Two installers are needed, one for the wood exterior carpentry, the other as a heating contractor. After checking their competences, the estimate they have submitted is:
The carpenter: 6000 euros + heating: € 19,000 = 25,000 euros!
It is valid but the following limitations must be contemplated
The new carpentry will isolate the roof for me. My old natural ventilation is inoperative. Therefore, it would be necessary to install controlled mechanical ventilation (VMC). It would have a probable cost of 3000 euros. It is not budgeted. Because of the disorders and olfactory discomfort that would occur, this permanent ventilation is necessary!
The heating installer proposes an additional budget to comply with this VMC installation. Other unforeseen events to take into account: perform the formwork to pass the ducts, the supports to install the extractor, etc ... in short, the necessary auxiliary materials such as plaster, painting, ... that the individual must take into account.
Comment: This case shows that the intervention of installers requiresof them a broad level of competence to advise the individual in each case. They must be sufficiently trained in "global energy efficiency" to advise the individual. Who should be, whether the carpenter or the installer of the heating, both should alert and advise the individual on the overall functioning of their estimated budget.
How to choose quality installers? Who is trained and qualified?
Fortunately, the profession is aware of the need for global energy performance, and has organized networks of professional installers trained in these techniques, and also in the techniques of the auxiliary elements of the system. A heating installer can not be so indifferent to the level of insulation, the type of VMC: single flow or double flow with a recuperator ... The electrician who performs an electrical installation cannot be limited to the installation of plugs and intruders. It must propose a technical management of the programming of heating appliances, taking into account the opening of curtains, etc.
That is why portal Caloryfrio.com is committed to presenting the most qualified installers in each province, with a global vision of energy efficiencyin the facilities
01234567Authors: Javier Gainza
