Jadarhus ISOBO Aktiv

■ Solar collector
Hot water and space heating
The house has 4 solar collectors with an absorber area of about 8 m2. Calculated to cover 50% of the required hot waster consumption. Calculated to provide 10% of the required heating by radiators and under-floor heating in the bathroom.

■ Heat pump
Hot water and space heating
Calculated to cover 40% of the required hot water consumption. Calculated to provide 85% of the required heating by radiators and under-floor heating in the bathroom. Air-to-water heat pump. Uses outdoor air to heat utility water and water for radiators/under-floor heating.

■ Ground collector
Preheated or precooled air
A ground heat collector with a piping system which is placed under the house. It is connected to the ventilating unit to increase efficiency and ensure a more even temperature in the house. On cold days the intake air to the entilating unit is preheated so that it will require less energy to heat the air sent into the house. On hot days the intake air of the ventilating unit is cooled so the air sent into the house has a lower temperature than normal.

■ Balanced ventilation
Fresh air and minimal heat loss
A most efficient ventilating unit is used; the efficiency has been calculated to more than 90%.

■ Hot water unit
Preheated water from solar collectors and heat pump
The hot water unit is storing the heat produced by the solar collectors and the heat pump and has a tank for hot utility water and one for the building’s heating system. Active control of the hot water unit ensures that energy by the most environment-friendly source will be prioritized.

■ Intelligent windows and sunscreening
Light and ventilation create an optimal indoor climate
External sunscreening on selected windows with individual, active control. Active control system for opening and closing of selected windows for ventilation.

■ Solar cell panels
The house has 8 solar cell panels, system type Gevity™, integrated in the roof in specially constructed frames, which are ventilated to optimize the temperature and effect of the panels. Each solar cell panel has an effect of 160 wp; for all 8 panels the total is 1.28 kwp. The panels will produce approx. 1230 kWh per year, which is approx. 17% of the required electricity for light and appliances during the year. The surplus production is “sold” back to the energy supplier.


The Challenge
An active house contributes to sustainability in several ways:
■ by creating balance between energy consumption and production
■ by the living environment in the house: indoor climate, function and health
■ by creating an experience in and around the house


A Solution
Torer Berg, SINTEF senior researcher, is not in doubt; Norwegians are much too spoiled with low energy prices. He is expecting considerable price increases in the coming years, mainly because the politicians want to make is conscious of saving energy.
− Compared to the rest of Europe, we have low energy prices. But we cannot continue this way. It is, therefore, important that the building industry is offering energy solutions such as Jadarhus is doing with ISOBO Aktiv, the senior researcher says. ISOBO Aktiv has better insulated walls, floor and roof as well as an air tight construction and windows with less heat loss. But won’t such houses be too tight?
− The answer is balanced ventilation. We must be able to control what comes in and what leaves the house and the ventilating unit must utilize the heat of the air.

Many think that we shall soon be building low-energy houses that generate their own heating so that we will not need any heating source. Low-energy houses will use ground heating and heat from the electronics in the house, Berg answers. A lot of house buyers are saving as much as they can in order to realize their dream of a house of their own.
− ISOBO Aktiv is one of the most sensible house purchases that you can make. This investment will pay back already the first year in form of low energy costs.
Furthermore, the future sales price will be much higher, Berg says. The senior researcher has worked together with Jadarhus for a long time and finds that the company has the right focus.
− Jadarhus has for many years been far ahead when it comes to energy savings in the building trade. Jadarhus is e.g. always one step ahead of legislation within this area. This was the case both in 2003 and when the new rules were passed in 2009. It shows that they are taking energy saving seriously, the SINTEF researcher says.