Example project
Step 4 of 757% complete
Performance
Primary energy EP
34 kWh/m²·yr
▲ 34
| limit 70
A+ABCD
Heat demand
26 kWh/m²·yrEnergy cost / year
PLN 980Summer comfort · peak indoor temp, July
24°C
20°C26°C comfort limit32°C
Within comfort range without active cooling.
| Element | Your U-value | WT 2021 / NZEB max | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| External walls | 0.15 W/m²K | 0.2 | ✓ 25% better |
| Roof | 0.12 W/m²K | 0.15 | ✓ 20% better |
| Windows | 0.8 W/m²K | 0.9 | ✓ 11% better |
| Ground floor | 0.2 W/m²K | 0.3 | ✓ 33% better |
Energy systems & passive cooling
Air-to-water heat pump
8 kW, SCOP 4.5, underfloor heating
Turn off:−PLN 33,000+30 kWh/m²
6 kWp rooftop PV
≈ 5,800 kWh/yr self-generated
Turn off:−PLN 36,000+14 kWh/m²
External shading
Venetian blinds, 80 cm overhang, night purge ventilation
Turn off:−PLN 15,000+3.5°C
Thinking long-term
Maintenance and materials›Timber frame stays our main option — here is how it compares over 30 years.
| Façade / wall | Build cost vs. base | Upkeep, 30 years |
|---|---|---|
Timber frame + larch cladding Warm, fast to build and light on the plot. Wood needs re-oiling every 4–6 years, or can be left to grey naturally. | Base (our main option) | ≈ PLN 45,000 |
Timber frame + mineral render Same fast timber build, with a façade that only needs cleaning and repainting every 12–15 years. | + PLN 0–10,000 | ≈ PLN 25,000 |
Ceramic block + render Heavy, solid walls with good thermal mass. Slower wet build (4–6 months longer), very durable. | + PLN 50,000–80,000 | ≈ PLN 20,000 |
Clinker facing brick The lowest-maintenance façade: practically no upkeep for 50+ years, but the highest build cost. | + PLN 80,000–120,000 | ≈ PLN 8,000 |
Brick costs more up front but saves on upkeep later. A good middle way: timber frame with a rendered façade, and wood only where you love to see it.
Modern roof solutions›A good roof keeps the house warm in winter, cool in summer and quiet for decades.
- Standing seam steel roof · lifetime 50+ years — Clean modern lines, light weight, ideal for PV mounts. Check fixings and gutters every few years.
- Ceramic or concrete tiles · lifetime 60+ years — Classic and quiet in rain; heavier, so the timber structure is sized up slightly.
- Green / extensive roof (flat parts) · lifetime 40+ years — Holds rainwater and cools in summer; needs a yearly check of drains and plants.
- Insulate the roof to U ≤ 0.15 W/m²K (around 350–400 mm of wood fibre or mineral wool).
- A 600–800 mm overhang on the south side blocks high summer sun but lets low winter sun in.
- A ventilated roof gap keeps the structure dry and the attic cool.
Energy solutions›How heat pump, solar panels and ventilation change energy use and monthly bills.
Without heat pump and PV
EP 78 kWh/m²·yr
≈ PLN 3,000 / year
Air-to-water heat pump
EP 48 kWh/m²·yr
≈ PLN 1,840 / year
Heat pump + PV (your setup)
EP 34 kWh/m²·yr
≈ PLN 980 / year
- Solar panels (PV), about 6 kWp: cover a large share of your own electricity and lower EP.
- Ground source heat pump: about PLN 30,000–40,000 more than air-to-water, but quieter and around 15–20% cheaper to run.
- Ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR): recovers about 85% of heat from used air and keeps the air fresh — essential in an airtight house.
Public subsidies in Poland›Support schemes can lower your total cost. Rules and amounts change often — please check the current terms before you plan with them.
- Mój Prąd — Grant for solar panels (PV), energy storage and smart energy management. Example: ≈ PLN 6,000
- Moje Ciepło — Grant for heat pumps in new, energy-efficient houses (higher for ground source heat pumps). Example: ≈ PLN 7,000
- Czyste Powietrze — Mainly for upgrading existing houses — usually not available for new builds, but good to know.
Example for your house: PLN 1,255,000 − PLN 13,000 = PLN 1,242,000
Illustrative only. Check current rules at gov.pl, mojprad.gov.pl and your regional fund (WFOŚiGW).