Building physics

The Cantonal Energy Certificate for Buildings (CECB) shows the energy consumption of a residential building in standard use, heating, domestic hot water, lighting and other electric uses, following of an energy audit. Further examination with the BlowerDoor test will also be possible if necessary. The certificate allows a comparison with other buildings and offers optimisation measures.

The CEBS is established for a building already built and in use. The calculation of the thermal balance is based on the heated surface and the actual energy consumption (bills and meter readings) for heating, hot water and electrical technical equipment (ventilation, common lighting, etc.). The CEBS results in two rankings on a scale from A (best) to G (worst). The first concerns only the insulation performance of the building envelope, and the second the overall energy performance, which considers all the energy consumed and the share of renewable energies.

The label informs occupants, or future tenants or buyers, of the energy status of the site and the heating and electricity loads to be expected.

In some cantons, it is already mandatory to provide this certificate during a real estate transaction, when installing a heating system running on gas, oil or coal.

The table below summarizes for the cantons romands the obligations as well as the amount of the grant for the establishment of the certificates CECB and CECB Plus.

As certified experts, BIFF SA engineers are accredited to establish the CEBS or CEBS Plus of your property.

Performances Energétiques

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Déperditions d'énergie du bâtiment

Why a thermography?

• Before remediation of the envelope, to detect critical areas invisible to the naked eye.
• After works, to check the quality of the work.
• By its visual contribution, to allow a better communication between stakeholders of a project.
• As an asset to raise awareness (inhabitants of a municipality, a canton...).

As certified expert thermographers ITC level 1 and level 2, we undertake thermographic balances through inspection of buildings for renewal. An energy audit of your building will allow you to evaluate the heat loss of your building.

Infrared thermography, through a heat radiation reading, is a method which highlights envelope problems and any electrical problems inside a building. Both possibilities to control the thermal performance of the components of the building envelope with a non-destructive approach and to visualise the disorders make building thermography a unique diagnostic tool. The thermal balance can then inform you of the work to be done.

The observation is both an analysis of the envelope from the outside and an inside investigation to track and identify the sources of heat loss. Our reports analyse the reported issues (air infiltration, water leaks, insulation defects, humidity, thermal bridges, electrical overheating), and give you personalised advice. Further examination with the BlowerDoor test will also be possible if necessary.

(As a member of the Swiss Association of thermography theCH, we follow, in the realisation of our infrared thermography mandates, the building quality standards as published by the Association.)

On the other hand, it should be known that in the scope of the BREEAM certification, is important if a thermographic inspection is carried out (MAN 01). The inspection must be carried out in accordance with the standards at the day and by a professional holding a level 2 certificate valid in the thermography.

Discover our new video on thermography! : click here

Note: "for obvious reasons of clarity, the images were redone at daybreak, but a thermography is always done in the early morning before the sun rises"

Detection and localization of disorders:

Illustration thermographie

Risque de condensation et moisissures

Today, the energy consumption for heating buildings and producing domestic hot water is approximately 40% of the energy consumption in Switzerland.

A building built in the 70s consumes 4 to 5 times more energy for heating and domestic hot water than a building built in recent years. Therefore why raising the rate of improvement of existing buildings is one of the objectives of the federal energy policy by 2050.

The building envelope has the greatest potential in saving energy. The needs of heat of the building will be reduced significantly after reorganising the envelope, up to 70% for high consumers!

The energy audit is essential! It is the first step towards a clever planning of the building renovation. It's about detecting the energy performance of the building. As in many other fields, health for example, the accuracy of the diagnosis is key to the success of the project. The second step is the BlowerDoor test.

Have all elements in hand to make the right choices: performance level of and state of dilapidation of envelope components, critical areas of thermal envelope, potential for energy economy, suitable renovation variants, budget for renovation...

Expert of the building envelope, BIFF is at your service to assist you in the energy diagnostic study of your building envelope.

(We remind you that the energy audit is a tax-deductible service in Switzerland.)

Why a BlowerDoor Test?

• Compulsory to get the Minergie - P ® label.
• Thermal discomfort caused by a sensation of cold air circulation.
• To quantify the permeability to air of an enclosure (villa, flat...).
• To identify parasite air entry points.

The airtightness test, or BlowerDoor test, is a method that allows to test the air tightness of any type of building, from a passive villa (Minergie P) to conventional buildings, whether the buildings are new or renovated. The test is to install, in lieu of the entrance door of the building, a blower door featuring a fan, pressure gauges and a scanner connected to a computer, and then pressurise and depressurise the building. The renewal of air flow is then determined. During the test, for high flow rates of parasitic air renewal, it is possible to locate and subsequently eliminate air leaks which lead to high energy consumption and thermal discomfort. It is also recommended to carry out a complete energy audit.

Highlights of BIFF SA:

- With its specialized engineers, BIFF SA is an expert in building physics and infiltrometry

- BIFF SA is recognized as a certifier Minergie-P

- As a facade specialist, BIFF SA offers solutions for improvement directly during the tests.

Why a supported eco-advising?

Canton of Geneva: To get a quick energy pre-diagnosis of your villa.

In 2011, the Association of municipalities of Geneva (ACG) and the State of Geneva have performed an aerial thermography of the cantonal territory which allows to measure the thermal radiation of roofs. The results of this operation are available on the mapping window of the Geneva information system, (Système d’information du territoire genevois, SITG).

The interpretation of these images is not easy for non-specialists, owners can therefore benefit from personalised eco-advice provided by professionals at a preferential rate. The aim of eco-advising is to deliver an energetic pre-diagnosis of the real good. Subsequently, an energy audit is possible.

Owners asking for guidance and advice in the view of energy improvement works will be given the possibility to contact us as an eco-consultant accredited by the State of Geneva. It would then be necessary to carry out a thermal balance, or even a BlowerDoor test if necessary.

Three good reasons to seek supported eco-advising:
• The best way to anticipate future legal requirements.
• The opportunity to save money and enhance your building value.
• An environmentally friendly commitment.

For all additional information, we invite you to browse the State of Geneva website under the energy category.

Cooking, drying laundry and showering are only a few activities in the house that generate humidity. Man, himself releases large quantities of water in the form of steam even when resting. Surface condensation appears when humidity in the vicinity of the surface is 100%.

Mould can appear when relative humidity is lower as soon as a surface is exposed for a long period of time at a relative humidity of 80%.

Mould must absolutely be treated because it can cause health problems such as chronic respiratory infections.

BIFF staff have the adapted tools to carry out necessary findings and analyses. The analysis of surveys will allow to identify the origin of mould: poor management of moisture, serious thermal bridge, lack of ventilation.

Very simple gestures ensure good air quality. Thanks to optimal ventilation, you will avoid moisture damage in living rooms.

Courbe de saturation

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Courbe de saturation

With the evolution of construction techniques in the building industry, the use of glass for a variety of applications has become very accessible in modern architecture. However, using glass as an essential component of the building envelope is not always well managed in the architectural concepts. As a result, some very highly glazed buildings show very high temperatures in their premises which cause a strong thermal discomfort to the occupants. Our findings and analyzes help avoid this discomfort.

There are also cases of summer overheating in buildings which have very low thermal inertia. Changes in outdoor temperatures then spread indoors with little depreciation and little phase shift. For example, premises topped by a roof which is little or not at all isolated often display excessive temperatures.

BIFF employees perform necessary surveys in situ, analyse the results and advise for solutions for improvement such as the installation of a suitable sunscreen. In some cases, they can also develop a prototype and measure the improvements generated after installation.

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Test Blowerdoor

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