Dialog

Interview with Rainer Kunz
Proactive approach to the upturn
Three facts when it comes to saving energy
Less CO 2 thanks to modern sun protection
inducing
The roller shutter and sun protection
industry can look forward to
the future with optimism again –
Refurbishment boom
“Demand for energy-saving refurbish-
Wiederaufbau (KfW) is offering favorable
loans for the purchase and installation
of wired and radio-controlled drives. The
this has also been confirmed by the most
ment is rising. Yet according to a Forsa
only problem is: Hardly anybody knows
recent business confidence index. Which
study only 27 % know that they can save
this. Specialist installation firms should,
factors will affect the upward trend in
energy with automated roller shutters.
therefore, point out this possibility to
the coming year are explained by Rainer
Our task, therefore, is that of conveying
their customers at all costs.”
Kunz, Managing Director elero GmbH
the idea that automation is an “absolute
and CEO of the Günther Group, using a
necessity” in the framework of optimum
“Smart Home”
number of keywords.
refurbishment for future energy savings.
But the arguments that have proved suc-
“Controlling sun protection at home from
Demographic change
cessful to date with constructors are not
the workplace using a smart phone –
sufficient here. Additional benefits such
does anybody really want this Who
“The demographic change which impacts
as an appreciation in the value of the real
wants to think about his roller shutters
on our industry is nothing new – take
estate and preparation for old age have
when he is away from home Every
More than 40 % of global energy consumption is accounted for by the use of
barrier-freedom for example. Once
dimensioned buttons was the basic
requirement, now we have to provide
to come to the fore to a greater extent.”
State aid as a sales argument
product has to measure up in terms not
only of its usability, but also of in terms
of its practical relevance and meaningful
buildings – and about half of this consumption results from heating and cooling.
What many people do not know: The simple use of modern sun protection sys -
tems could reduce the amount of CO 2 required for energy consumption in
Thanks to automated sun protection systems in
winter it is nice and warm indoors and in summer
pleasantly cool.
“simplicity” with different control options
benefits – technical innovations that only
Europe by a total of 111 metric tons, according to the ESCORP-EU25 study
suitable for our customers needs. Intui-
“The government’s economic stimulus
thrill the manufacturer’s technicians are
by the Physibel-Institute Maldegem in Belgium.
tive operation, reliable systems and clear
programs are coming to an end, yet there
of no real help to the industry nor, above
functions are the primary demands being
is still funding for energy-saving buil-
all, to our customers.”
made on building technology.”
ding measures. Thus, Kreditanstalt für
Intelligent architecture
“What is still a future dream with private
Fact 1: Optimum room climate whatever
sun protection decreases this proportion
residential properties, and will probably
the season
to 30 %, while exterior sun protection to
remain so in the medium term, is some-
5 % – A huge saving! Thus the operating
thing that has already firmly established
A lot of glass is used in modern architec-
costs for an air-conditioning system can
itself in the commercial property sector:
ture. Yet this material easily conducts heat
be reduced considerably – and not only in
The intelligent façade with a sun protec-
outdoors on cold winter days. Vice versa,
southern Europe. In most cases a smaller
tion system that takes into account wind
the sunlight warms up rooms to a consi-
and more cost effective unit is sufficient.
and weather, and automatically ensures
derable degree in summer – heat builds
optimum lighting levels – and thus the
up. With automatically controlled sun
Fact 3: Noticeably lower heating costs
optimization of energy consumption.
Controls for entire properties such as the
protection it is possible to regulate the
amount of solar energy entering a room –
In winter for example, a closed sun
The simple use of modern sun protection systems
could reduce the amount of CO2 in Europe.
Objecta from elero and the cross-industry
and thus create a pleasant room climate
protection system creates a cushion of
interface standard SMI are examples of
whatever the season.
air between the system and the window
intelligent architecture. A lot more is still
pane – this does not conduct heat well
possible – and I am certain that we will
Fact 2: Lower costs for air-conditioning units
and is reflected even better by the sun
see further innovations in this area that
protection system. Ensuring not only that
truly make a difference to the industry.
Without modern sun protection systems
it is pleasantly warm inside, but also that
Without a smart phone in sight.”
roughly 60 % of the solar energy pene-
10 % less heating energy is required – and
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Rainer Kunz, managing director elero GmbH, CEO Günther Group.
trates the window pane. Interior reflective
that saves money.
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