Christel Russ, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Freiburg, Germany Robert Hastings, Architektur, Energie & Umwelt GmbH, Wallisellen, Switzerland

Single-family and apartment housing with a very low energy demand are state of the art in Europe, especially in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Such dwellings have a high construction quality and very efficient heat production and supply for space heating, domestic hot water. Well engineered ventilation assures exceptional comfort in the rooms. The planning and engineering to such standards requires must lead to an integrated building concept. Active and passive solar energy can then make a significant contribution to meet the small remaining energy demands. The IEA SHC1 Task 28 and ECBCS2 Annex 38 „Sustainable Solar Housing — Marketable housing for a better environment[27] uses the results from previous projects to collect the experiences of high efficient buildings in 19 countries. The goal is to provide a sound basis for planning buildings with very low energy demand, exceptional comfort level and marketable costs.