PASSIVE HOUSES AND LOW-ENERGY HOUSES

Economic Overview Of Passive Houses And Low-Energy Houses In Comparison With Standard Houses

[Name of the Institution

Abstract

As energy demand used for space heating accounts for 78% of EU15 household delivered energy consumption, significant reductions in energy demand can be achieved by promoting low-energy buildings. Our study investigates three building types: standard house, low-energy house and passive house. As more far-reaching measures concerning energy savings usually lead to higher investments, aim of our study is to perform an economic analysis in order to determine economic viability of three building types.

Table of Content

Abstractii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of research1

Problem Statement1

Aims and Objectives1

Purpose1

Reliability2

Validity2

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

Passive house4

Low-energy (energy efficient) house5

Low energy technology6

Piljon Positive+6

Low-energy houses11

Passive House: Comfort through Efficiency15

Economic analysis16

Definition of Passive House standard17

What makes the building the Passive House?18

Superinsulation18

Combining efficient heat recovery with supplementary supply air heating19

Passive solar gain20

Electric efficiency means efficient appliances25

Meeting remaining energy demand with renewables26

Results of CEPHEUS project26

Airtightness testing27

Energy performance indices27

Energy consumption for domestic hot water28

Household electricity consumption28

Final and primary energy consumption29

Proof of cost-effectiveness29

Market success and sustainability30

Prefabrication37

Prefabrication in the UK37

Disadvantages of prefabrication38

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY43

Research Design43

Data Collection Method43

CHAPTER 04: DISCUSSION44

Main concepts45

Sample48

Specific additional costs49

Energy costs50

Subsidies51

Overview of costs52

Break-even analysis52

Constant energy costs52

Growing energy costs53

Cash flow analysis55

Constant energy costs55

Growing energy costs56

CHAPTER 05: CONCLUSION62

REFERENCES64

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of research

The actual debate on global warming cranks up search for environment-friendly alternatives to maintain our current living standards and level of activity. The issue is increasingly being addressed on global level, condition sine qua non to achieve results. The main step is Kyoto Protocol, as amendment on International Treaty on Climate Change, which aims at reducing emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 5% under 1990 level by 2012.

Problem Statement

As energy demand used for space heating accounts for 78% of EU15 household delivered energy consumption, significant reductions in energy demand can be achieved by promoting low-energy buildings.

Aims and Objectives

The main aims and objectives of research is;

To explore three building types: standard house, low-energy house and passive house.

To describes perform an economic analysis in order to determine economic viability of three building types.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explored more far-reaching measures concerning energy savings usually lead to higher investments, aim of our study is to perform an economic analysis in order to determine economic viability of three building types.

Reliability

In evaluating studies, several methodological concerns emerge. Perhaps most important are reliability and validity (Storey, in press). Reliability assessment is core component of behavioral research and can be incorporated easily into direct observations for determining optimal levels of performance. However, only 48% of studies (excluding those using computerized assessment) reported reliability measures on comparison assessment. Results were worse for assessing social importance of effects (28 % reporting reliability), social significance of goals (4% reporting reliability), and validation of appropriateness of procedures (8% reporting reliability). Several procedures have been used that can provide reliability of questionnaire measurement methods, including test--retest, odd--even, Kendall's coefficient, Pearson r coefficient, and equivalent-forms method.

Validity

Social validation procedures are valid to extent that they measure what they claim to measure. It is critical that good ...