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A New Method for Contrasting Energy Performance and Near-Zero Energy Building Requirements in Different Climates and Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Kaiser Ahmed

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4 A, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Margaux Carlier

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Christian Feldmann

    (Association of Engineers in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning AICVF, 75008 Paris, France)

  • Jarek Kurnitski

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4 A, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland
    Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology, 12616 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

In this study a robust method enabling one to compare the energy performance in different climates was developed. Derived normalization factors allow “to move” the building from one climate to another with corresponding changes in heating, cooling, and electric lighting energy. Degree days, solar-air temperature and economic insulation thickness were used to normalize space heating and cooling needs. Solar-air temperature based degree days resulted in 5% accuracy in space heating and dry-bulb air temperature based cooling degree days were trustworthy in cooling need normalization. To overcome the limitation of the same thermal insulation in all climates, an economic insulation thickness was applied. Existing and nearly zero energy requirements were contrasted in four countries with a reference office building to analyze the impacts of climate and national regulation on primary energy use. By applying standard energy calculation input data and primary energy factors from European standards to buildings with national technical solutions, nearly zero energy building requirements comparison with European Commission benchmarks was possible to conduct. Generally, in Central and North Europe comparison, national input data caused much more difference than the climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaiser Ahmed & Margaux Carlier & Christian Feldmann & Jarek Kurnitski, 2018. "A New Method for Contrasting Energy Performance and Near-Zero Energy Building Requirements in Different Climates and Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:6:p:1334-:d:148647
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Sergio Gómez Melgar & Miguel Ángel Martínez Bohórquez & José Manuel Andújar Márquez, 2018. "uhuMEB: Design, Construction, and Management Methodology of Minimum Energy Buildings in Subtropical Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-34, October.
    6. Miklos Kassai & Laith Al-Hyari, 2019. "Investigation of Ventilation Energy Recovery with Polymer Membrane Material-Based Counter-Flow Energy Exchanger for Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-21, May.
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    8. Kaiser Ahmed & Jarek Kurnitski, 2021. "New Equation for Optimal Insulation Dependency on the Climate for Office Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-20, January.

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