Comparative Analyses of the Costs Associated to Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Single-Family Houses "Gf+A" Located in Different Climate Zones in Romania

The authors propose a comparative analysis of the estimated costs necessary for classifying a new pre-finish shell structure as a high energy B-class building. According to the enforceable Romanian laws, correlated with European Union directives, it is mandatory that all new buildings, finished after 31 December 2020, should only be cleared for acceptance at the end of the construction works if their consumption of energy from non-renewable sources should be nearly zero. For this purpose, buildings located in different climate zones in Romania were analysed: Constanta, Bucharest, Iasi, Targu Secuiesc, Predeal, which are exposed to various average temperatures. The analysis of the heating energy needs involved a study covering thermal insulations with various thickness values, different types of windows and various solutions for using non-conventional energy. This study included both computational elements from the field of civil engineering and cost elements, investment recapture, etc., from the field of economics. The paper also refers to the national and European legal issues, and how they should be handled by 2020. The total costs necessary for having the building classified as a class-B energy house ranged from 385 Euro for the building located in Constanta to 5,250 Euro for the building located in Predeal. In conclusion, the European provisions for 2020 could be applied more easily and for lower costs in areas with a milder climate. For colder climates solutions using alternative energies must be identified in order to comply with legal requirements, which will involve much higher costs.