How we build influences the balance of CO2

In Switzerland there are four construction standards: old buildings, new buildings, Minergie buildings and «Minergie-P» buildings (passive minimum energy buildings). A Minergie-P house consumes around 2 litres of heating fuel and 30 kilowatt-hours of electricity per square metre, per year; a normal minimum energy building 4 litres and 42 kilowatt-hours; a normal new building from 2000 consumes 10 litres and 100 kilowatt-hours; and an old building from 1970 around 16 litres and 210 kilowatt-hours.

The differences are partially due to the fact that the houses vary with regard to their insulation, the type of building materials used, the energy or heating system, the ventilation, the living area and the geographical position.

Source: BAFU 2006a

In 2006 in Switzerland, there were 6,208 minimum energy buildings and 117 passive minimum energy buildings but 1.46 million old buildings.