Case Study: nZEC - New construction of 5 dwellings in Oude Baan, Maasmechelen, Belgium

Short Description

One of three demonstration projects social passive housing subsidised by the Flemish Government to evaluate the feasibility of building - on a large scale - certified passive house social dwelling.

The five passive houses are part of a larger project on the same building site with low-energy building. Energy consumption will be monitored in de next years and the different types of dwelling will be compared. Special attention to guidance of tenants.

Key Elements

Certification

• Passive house certificate
• EPB certificate
• Air pressure testing
• Thermographic imaging
  
  
  

Capacity Building

Exploring barriers and feasibility of passive social dwellings in Flanders. Monitoring of energy consumption, indoor air quality, maintenance costs, occupants satisfaction.

Work with Residents

Special attention for guidance of residents: information about the passive house before moving in, explanation of use and maintenance of heating and ventilation systems, recommendations on the use of windows, temperature settings, overheating.

The SHC Maaslanfshuis has been supported by STEBO, a social profit organization composed by local social workers, based in Genk for the guidance of the tenants.

Thermal Insulation

U-value Floor: 0,110W/m²K

• PUR 25cm

U-value Exterior wall: 0,103W/m²K

• Brick 10cm
• Air cavity 3,5cm
• Insulation rock wool 5cm
• Wood wool panel 2,2cm
• Cellulose insulation 30cm
• OSB panel 1,5cm
• Technical cavity 4,5cm
• Gypsum board 1,25cm

U-value Flat roof: 0,09 W/m²K:

• Roofing
• OSB 1,8cm
• Cellulose insulation 40cm
• Damp-proof membrane
• Roof lathing 2,2cm
• Gypsum board 1,25cm

E-value, K-value, netto energy demand (heating and cooling) according EPB:

• Dwelling 1: E41, K16, 23.28 kWh/m²
• Dwelling 2: E40, K15, 24.57 kWh/m²
• Dwelling 3: E40, K15, 24.14 kWh/m²
• Dwelling 4: E40, K15, 24.29 kWh/m²
• Dwelling 5: E32, K13, 11.34 kWh/m²
  
  
  

Air Tightness

Air pressure testing (n50):

• Dwelling 1: 0,4^h-1
• Dwelling 2: 0,4^h-1
• Dwelling 3: 0,4^h-1
• Dwelling 4: 0,5^h-1
• Dwelling 5: 0,4^h-1
  
  
  

Windows and Shading

Windows:

• Thermally insulated window frame with triple glazing (Profile: 0,69 W/m²K - Glazing: 0,6 W/m²K)

Shading devices:

• External shading devices + balconies
  
  
  

Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (Brink Renovent HR).

Heating and Hot Water

Collective:

• Hot water production: Solar water heating and condensing boiler (60kW)
• Electricity for ventilationsystem: Photovoltaics

Individual:

• Space heating: per dwelling 2X electric heating (1300kW and 1500kW) + Mechanical ventilation

Annual heating demand according to passiv house standard:

• Dwelling 1: 14 kWh/(m2a)
• Dwelling 2: 12 kWh/(m2a)
• Dwelling 3: 12 kWh/(m2a)
• Dwelling 4: 12 kWh/(m2a)
• Dwelling 5: 15 kWh/(m2a)
  
  
  

Cooling

Natural ventilation by opening windows. Fixed and manual shading facilities.

Solar Thermal

Collective domestic hot water (18,8 m² in total).

Solar Photovoltaic

7kW piek used for:

• Electropump for rainwater tank
• Outdoor lighting
• Indivdual balance ventilation
• Individual shading devices
  
  
  

Funding

Total building costs (excl vat):                             

• Vmsw max cost standard (‘regular project’) = 590.040€ (100%)
• Total building cost passive house project = 1.125.986€ (191%)
• Grant = 128.982€
• Total cost – grant = 997.003€
• Cost per dwelling: 199.401€
  
  
  

Water Saving

Rain water recovery (12500l).

Main Results

Lessons learned

Building sector (design, engineering, contractors, building suppliers,...) not ready yet for large scale passive housing projects. Need for working with building team (synchronising all important partners).

Additional Information

Mr Bernard Wallyn
VMSW - The Flemish Agency for Social Housing
E-mail: bernard.wallyn@vmsw.be
Web: www.vmsw.be