The aim of this publication is to detect barriers and opportunities for promoting nZEB mainly by focusing on the experiences of building owners/property managers (Social Housing Operators). Low energy buildings are based on a set of technical features which need to be dealt with in a specific way in every aspect of planning, building, maintenance, service and every-day handling, since any new element bears some probability of misfunction, failure, mishandling and needs special care.

This report, by collecting information form structured interviews with housing managers & technical staff and from information sheets and manuals and other documents, intended to analyse issues which cause additional work (and related costs) in the administration and management of nearly-Zero Energy Buildings, such as information and training of residents either during the process of (first) moving in or after (deep) renovation as well as issues causing additional efforts during the building life cycle, such as additional maintenance costs, time spent dealing with tenants requests and complaints.

Download here the report “Usability of nZEB in Cold / Continental climates".

This report intends to analyse the various components that concur to the overall operating cost of a nearly-Zero Energy Building. The study of these components, such as the energy needed for different purposes like space heating, hot water production and auxiliary energy for ventilation systems and pumps, should also include the analysis of inspection & control, cleaning & maintenance and repair costs.

Not all of these cost components are always easy to identify and clear to separate; furthermore, there is also the “complication” of the trade- off between investment and operating costs: some systems are more expensive to purchase but the energy source itself is less costly than others, likewise, some systems are more expensive to operate and maintain. Having a clear understanding of all these costs and being able to compare the different options on the market is key to make cost optimal investment choices in the design phase of the new-build or refurbishment projects.

Download here the report “Operating Costs including Quality Assurance of nZEB in Cold / Continental climates".

The scope of this publication is to provide a clear idea of the cost effectiveness of Low Energy and nearly-Zero Energy Buildings in Cold/Continental climates. The study is based on the direct experience of low energy buildings in Austria, Germany and France, including both new constructions and refurbishments projects. The information provided by Housing Managers responsible for the projects, as well as information collected from other studies, were key to help drafting this report.

To assess the cost effectiveness of the operations, parameters such as Investment costs (construction/refurbishment costs including design costs and taxes) vs. Running costs as well as the Improved comfort that is reflected into higher users satisfaction, have been identified and analysed. Concerning the latter, it is indeed important to underline that beside the financial calculations that concur to assess the cost effectiveness of a project, it is also important to consider that a share of the potential energy savings is actually consumed to get a better indoor climate and comfort for tenants, this should also be somehow considered as a (very) positive outcome of building or renovating to a low energy standard.

Download here the report “Cost-effectiveness of nZEB in Cold/Continental climates".

To capitalise on the work done in the framework of other EU-funded projects and explore synergies with them, the Members of the Cold/Continental TaskForce relied on the ‘Plug-in to POWER HOUSE’ session of the website, were key outputs of concluded and ongoing projects were collected and made available. 

Click here to access relevant resources for nZEB in Cold/Continental climates.