A clear and simple showcase of energy efficient buildings in Europe.

Bolzano/Italy - www.klimahaus.info

KlimaHaus - the latest climate-friendly initiative of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/South Tyrol in Italy in response to the challenges faced by climate changes, seems to have had great success. The factors contributing to making this a winning project are:

	our providing home-owners certificates that establish their energy efficiency rating (A, B or C);
	applying a KlimaHaus plaque to the house of those who respect the norms;
	offering home-owners training as well as providing architects and artisans to build energy saving buildings and offering services and products available for the construction buildings with proper isolation.

As a result KlimaHaus could save up to 90% the energy consumption of traditionally buildings, creating an ecological and economical saving, where people are at the centre of attention concerning construction and living.

KlimaHaus Energy Certificate
This energy certificate reflects in a very simple and clear way the energetic efficiency level a building belongs to. Categories A, B and C have already been used successfully to establish the energetic efficiency of refrigerators and washing machines. As a consequence, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol has introduced this classification for buildings, providing home-owners the proper certification. Buildings that consume less than 30 kWh/m² per year, are classified as "KlimaHaus A" whereas those that consume less than 50 kWh/m² per year will be classified as "KlimaHaus B". Starting at January 2005, all the new houses built in South Tyrol must respect the minimum standard of energy level "C" or rather less than 70 kWh/m² per year. The consequences of this new law are important considering that older constructions in South Tyrol consume annually up to 210 kWh/m² per year.

KlimaHaus Plaque
All KlimaHaus A and KlimaHaus B buildings will receive a metal plaque which will be applied to the entrance of the building. This KlimaHaus plaque reflects:

	energetic transparency towards the environment
	increase of the value of the property appreciated by home-owners
	contribution of the ecological image

It also helps raise the level of energy saving conscience of others. In short you could say that the "KlimaHaus" plaques is already becoming an ecological symbol to have.

KlimaHaus plus
The concept of KlimaHaus plus is oriented to buildings who respect energy efficient and energy saving products. The house must also respect the ecological norms of the products used in the process of building and ecological energy sources (without any fossil energy).

Instruction
The training and instruction of all actors involved in the KlimaHaus process becomes an indispensable prerogative. The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is offering different courses adapted to the different real estate projectors as architects, geometers and craftsmen. Seminars are also offered to the actual and future householders. The purpose of these courses is to spread this new "culture" of renewed energy. And most of all, it is indispensable to procure the real estate sector the proper tools and competencies to promote an ensemble of services and products for the KlimaHaus`s winning formula.

Communication
Communication is the most important aspect in this new process of building and development. Constant and consistent information plays a crucial role in giving the population a greater sensibility and consciousness towards the need for saving energy and protecting the climate and our environment. As the greatest part of the energy consumption of our society comes from housing and real estate, the KlimaHaus innovation buildings create a cultural change in the mentalities. The KlimaHaus becomes the synonym of health and well-being.

For more information: All@provincia.bz.it