Economic Prospects of Zero and Net Zero Homes

Chapter 6

Abstract

Ruta Miniotaite

Passive Buildings

and a pitched roof with insulated ceiling.

ment for an individual builder [3–5].

multiple-criteria evaluation

1. Introduction

105

Technical-Economic Research for

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 61 requires all new public buildings to become near-zero-energy buildings by 2019 which will be extended to all new buildings by 2021. This concept involves sustainable, highquality, valuable, healthy and durable construction. Foundation, walls and roofs are the most essential elements of a house. The type of foundation for a private house is selected considering many factors. The article examines technological and structural solutions for passive building foundation, walls and roofs. The technicaleconomic comparison of the main structures of a passive house revealed that it is cheaper to install an adequately designed concrete slab foundation than to build strip or pile foundation and the floor separately. Timber stud walls are the cheapest wall option for a passive house and 45–51% cheaper than other options. The comparison of roofs and ceilings showed that insulation of the ceiling is 25% more efficient than insulation of the roof. The comparison of the main envelope element efficiency by multiple-criteria evaluation methods showed that it is economically feasible to install concrete slab on ground foundation, stud walls with sheet cladding

Keywords: passive house, foundation, walls, roof, technological solutions,

A passive house is not a new method of construction. It differs from ordinary houses by good thermal insulation, high-quality windows and heat recovery ventilation system. All these features lead to the lower demand for thermal energy. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 61 requires all new public buildings to become near-zero-energy buildings by 2019 which will be extended to all new buildings by 2021 [1]. A passive house becomes a standard for energyefficient buildings [2]. The problem in modelling a passive house occurs when investment into construction is estimated and the payback period for investment is calculated. The payback period depends on thermal energy price, which is difficult to forecast. Therefore a house of lower energy efficiency class is a less risky invest-

A passive house is the building with very low energy demand and uses only onefourth or even less energy compared to the conventional buildings. Usually, passive houses do not have separate heating systems. Regenerative ventilation system is enough. The primary idea of such a house is to reduce the energy demand and at the
