Normal conventional methods of decreasing energy consumption for the h
eating of buildings are: increasing the insulation thickness, reducing
the air leakage of buildings, using special low-energy windows, lower
ing the room air temperature and recovering heat from exhaust air. Unc
onventional methods of reducing the energy consumption and peak energy
demand for wall heat losses and ventilation, by using low temperature
solar heat sources provided by nature or waste heat without a heat pu
mp, that are especially suitable for cold climates are considered. The
operation and optimization of these unconventional energy-saving meth
ods are analysed theoretically for different Finnish climatic regions
(Helsinki, Sodankyla). The peak power demand that occurs during the co
ldest days of the year greatly decreases in both regions, which means
that the auxiliary heating devices and energy production can be dimens
ioned much smaller. Both absolute and relative energy savings increase
from southern regions to northern regions.