Introducing the Minergie building standard to Chile

Excessive CO₂ emissions from buildings in Chile

Chile’s construction sector has seen solid growth in recent years owing to increases in the country’s population and economic vitality. While this development is to be welcomed, it is also problematic owing to a lack of rigorous energy-efficiency, emissions and comfort standards. Although interest in new technologies such as heat pumps, façade insulation, integrated photovoltaics, enhanced window glazing, etc. has increased, their implementation lags behind common practice in Switzerland.

Ambitious energy goals to be met by 2025

The Chilean Department of Energy has set the goal of reducing the country’s energy consumption by 20% by the year 2025. The Department also plans to introduce an energy-performance certificate for new buildings.

Minergie standard for efficiency and comfort

The Swiss Minergie standard is based on criteria that are ideally suited to securing more sustainable building practices in Chile. The standard links greater energy efficiency and an emphasis on renewables to higher degrees of comfort and property-value retention. Other advantages include an openness to a full range of technologies (except for heating systems based solely on fossil fuels) and a high degree of reliability as evidenced by over 47,500 successful buildings and certification programs in 12 countries.

EBP Chile as a local partner of Minergie

As the brand manager, EBP Chile is overseeing a simplified version of the Minergie standard – one that is to be adapted to local conditions in Chile. The scope of the project includes the following three steps:

1. Adapting the Minergie standard to the Chilean market:
   The standard is to be simplified to ensure its general feasibility without sacrificing the advantages it offers in terms of energy performance and comfort when compared to conventional building standards and other certification labels. The new Minergie standard is being tested in two pilot projects and adapted in consultation with local engineers and architects.
2. Developing a cost-efficient business model for Minergie Chile:
   The business plan, the Minergie requirements, and a pragmatic verification and certification procedure are all to be defined in preparation for market entry. A Chilean Minergie website is also to be created.
3. Establishing a network of Chilean experts:
   Educational and training measures are to be implemented to help establish a network of Chilean Minergie experts. Doing so will also help to ensure the reliable and consistent application of the standard.

Picture Credits: bildaufbau.ch