In Nijlen - Kessel the social housing company "Zonnige Kempen" has built 29 new social houses. The objective of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of energy saving measures at the end of the design phase, to develop an approach for the construction of social houses from the beginning of the design phase and to increase the knowledge of the application of some energy saving techniques.

Feasibility studies with respect to the heating system, the insulation of distribution pipes, the energy management system, the type of glazing and the application of solar collectors for domestic hot water have been executed. In case of collective heating with condensing gas boiler yearly energy savings are about 5% in comparison with individual heating. In order to limit distribution losses, distribution pipes are installed within the heated volume. As a result, about half of the distribution losses can be recovered. An energy management system enables individual control of the room temperature and individual allocation of energy costs. In case of special double glazing with heat reflecting metal coating and a gas filled cavity space yearly energy savings are about 9 % in comparison with the standard double glazing. In order to limit energy use for domestic hot water production, solar collectors have been installed. Because of the limited available place on the south facing roofs, only 27,5 m² of solar collectors are installed. Yearly energy savings as a result of the solar collectors are about 24 %.

General information :

Architectural part		Engineering techniques
Tender	02/07/1996	Tender	17/12/1996
Amount of order	€ 1.207.223,64	Amount of order	€ 177.078,97
Start of works	01/11/1996	Start of works	01/06/1997
Delivery term	500 calender days	Delivery term	120 calender days
Provisional delivery	18/12/1997	Provisional delivery	18/12/1997
Contractor	Wienen NV	Contractor	Guido Van Hemelen bvba
Architect	Feys & Gouwy bvba	Engineering office	Johan Daenen