Every cubic meter of concrete generates around 300 kg of CO₂ emissions. Now calculate how much concrete is needed for a standard slab foundation. In the case of WFS screw piles, concrete is not required at all – the piles are screwed directly into the soil, which means:

• No emissions from concrete production or transport,

• No need for heavy machinery,

• No construction waste or excavation,

• Minimal disturbance to soil structure – whether cohesive or non-cohesive.

This is the first – and often overlooked – step toward energy efficiency: reducing energy consumption right from the construction phase.

Few talk about this openly, but foundations have a significant impact on thermal bridges. Traditional concrete strip footings, in direct contact with the soil, often conduct heat from the building into the ground. That’s why passive house foundations require complex perimeter insulation systems.

WFS screw piles significantly reduce this risk. Why?

• The space between the structure and ground can remain ventilated,

• The screw has minimal conductive surface area,

• The foundation is point-based, not linear – which limits thermal bridging,

• Structures can be elevated above ground level – ideal for timber frame or lightweight modular buildings.

The result? Lower heat loss and higher thermal efficiency of the building – starting from the foundation.

Solar panels? Yes. Heat pumps? Absolutely. But what do these systems have in common with foundations? Stability and ease of installation.

In modern energy-efficient construction, we increasingly see:

• PV carports,

• Ground-mounted solar farms,

• AgroPV systems,

• Technical installations for renewable energy generation.

All of these can – and should – be installed on WFS screw foundations, which are:

• Concrete-free,

• Fully removable and recyclable,

• Installable in difficult terrain – including high-wind and mountainous zones,

• Compatible with any superstructure and energy infrastructure.

These foundations don’t produce energy themselves, but they enable efficient energy harvesting for decades.

Imagine this: you're planning an extension to your passive home. Or relocating a solar carport to a new plot. Or adding another EV charging station.

Traditional foundation? Demolition, excavation, waste, new concrete.

WFS foundation? Unscrew, relocate, reinstall.

This is a future-ready foundation that not only reduces energy usage during construction, but extends the energy lifecycle of the building through unmatched mobility.

At first glance, a screw pile might look like just a piece of steel pipe with threading. But to an energy-conscious engineer, it means:

• Lower material consumption,

• Minimized thermal loss at ground level,

• A stable base for renewable energy systems,

• Reduced CO₂ emissions over the building’s lifecycle,

And the flexibility to adapt to future technological changes.

In the era of passive houses, net-zero communities, and energy-efficient public buildings, we cannot forget what lies beneath our feet. Because energy-efficient construction doesn’t start on the roof – it starts in the ground.

Winkelmann Foundation Screws (WFS) meet not only structural requirements – but also energy and environmental criteria. And they screw into place faster than the average investor can finish their morning coffee.

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