'BENG is not for the frontrunners, it's for the broom wagon'

The introduction of the new energy performance standard BENG is fast approaching. However, there is still much uncertainty in the market. To shed more light on this matter, BUVA organized the BENG seminar on May 23.

Over seventy relations came to the headquarters of the developer and manufacturer of hardware, residential ventilation and under sills, among other products, in Barendrecht to be informed about BENG. Four speakers gave their views on this phenomenon.

Cooling housing market

To put BENG in perspective, Maurice van Loon of market research firm BouwKennis outlined the state of the housing industry. He stated that after the rapid growth in recent years, the market is now hitting its ceiling. "While the growth rate was previously around 10%, in the coming years it will be around 3%." Capacity problems among builders, the sustainability challenge among housing associations and limited land release underlie this. Energy neutral building is not yet taking off: of the 100,000 homes to be energy neutral by 2020, only 5,000 are being produced this year.

Marius van Zanten presents BUVA's homecare systems. (Image: Inge Nusselder Photography)

Not unreachable

That BENG is a different type of performance standard than EPC is made clear in the talk by Harm Valk of engineering firm Nieman. He pointed out the tripartite nature of the standard. There's a lot of focus on BENG-1, but it's three standards you have to meet at the same time. "Don't think it's unattainable: BENG is not there for the frontrunners, it's for the sweepers. 95% of new construction can meet the new requirements with limited additional construction costs."

Maurice van Loon discusses market developments. (Image: Inge Nusselder Photography)

Ventilation and BENG brings a field of tension, according to the consultant. "The less you ventilate the better in principle the energy performance. However, then you look purely at BENG-1. But in BENG-2 you reap the benefits of good control and heat recovery."   

Sealing the shell

The future = low-energy building = airtight building: that is the opinion of Henk Wegkamp of engineering firm Dantuma-Wegkamp. Airtightness of the rotating parts is a crucial part of this, according to the consultant. "The leaks that occur there result in unhealthy mold," he says.

Afterwards, the guests were treated to a sumptuous barbecue.

Ventilation and airtight construction requires a new perspective. "The common view is that insulating = ventilating. If you insulate well, however, you need less ventilation. So double the profit. But design it deliberately, tailored to the need, and tackle it in an integrated way."

BUVA homecare systems

Marius van Zanten of BUVA homecare systems closed the morning session. BUVA has developed from a wholesaler of hardware to a supplier of total systems, of which the homecare systems are the latest development. They guarantee sustainably produced heat, healthy indoor air and safely sealed windows and doors. For every situation is a suitable system: the standard solution BUVA Conventional, the more sustainable variant BUVA Advanced and the all-electric solution BUVA Sustainable. On all systems, ten year product and performance warranty. "Condition is then that a maintenance contract is entered into. This contract includes a 24/7 breakdown service. This gives our customer certainty about the costs and performance of our products," Van Zanten said.

Marketing manager Serife Evers of BUVA introduces the day. (Image: Inge Nusselder Photography)

After the lectures, the gathering was treated to a well-prepared barbecue and there was plenty of time for networking.