The CoNZEBs team has identified potential technical solution sets that can reduce cost in the construction process for NZEBs.
The scientific partners assessed the costs related to the construction and operation phase according to the specific conditions applying in the participant countries, i.e. Denmark, Germany, Italy and Slovenia.
Based on calculations of cost and energy performance of typical NZEBs, cost optimising solution sets were identified and analysed. Solution sets are combinations of energy efficient technologies that constitute a building that meets the national NZEB requirements.
Solution sets have the potential of reducing the investment costs of NZEB projects, i.e. a combination of technologies that support/supplement each other in striving towards NZEB at less investment cost than standard NZEBs.
This is achieved either by introduction of less costly solutions in general or by implementing combinations of cost and performance reductions in combination with other cost and performance improvements. Some of the main findings regarding solutions sets are:
-Reduced insulation thickness in facades results in less cost for foundations and window implementation. Additionally, the habitable area increases for the same build-up area.
-Integration of PV is a cost effective way to decrease the carbon footprint of the building.
-The energy for domestic hot water takes up an increasing share of NZEBs energy demand, and energy optimisation or water saving fixtures will reduce this demand and free cost elsewhere in the building.
-Due to the very low energy demand of NZEBs, costs for heating distribution and emitters can potentially be reduced significantly by introducing electric heating sources. However, this solution is not legal in all member states.
Additionally, those technologies that are not normally used in buildings, that meet the minimum energy performance requirements, are described, if used in any of the solution sets.
The full report is available here.