Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Zero house'

A zero energy house for the hot and humid climate of UAE is designed. It is focused on improve the building envelope through insulation materials, low density concrete, reflective coatings and low SHGC windows. The design is done by computer simulations using TRNSYS and POLYSUN software. Passive technologies are able to reduce the cooling load to 80%, which represents a 55% reduction of the total electricity consumption in the original building. Adding active technologies such as high efficient air conditioning chiller and solar water heater, total electricity consumption of the house is reduced to 70%. The remaining cooling load is covered by 6.5 kW PV system which is placed on the available roof area.

The thesis aims at the optimization of the regulatory systems inherent in domestic architecture through choice of orientation, building materials and the use of natural resources of energy, to achieve comfort conditions without the need for mechanical heating and cooling for the Cypriot climate. The thesis is classified in six chapters as follows: CHAPTER 1 In this chapter, analysis of the energy situation in Cyprus to investigate the potential for energy saving in houses and the possible environmental improvement is carried out. For this, existing and newly built houses are evaluated to identify deficiencies in the regulatory systems inherent in the built form that result in heating and cooling demands. CHAPTER 2 The prevailing climatic conditions in Cyprus are analyzed, in this chapter, to assess how energy demands for heating and cooling arise in domestic buildings and to evaluate the free energy systems available to contribute to these requirements. Moreover in this chapter standards of comfort for single family detached houses in Cyprus are established, through investigation of current thermostat settings and reviews of thermal comfort studies, so that they may be taken as a basis in the optimization study. CHAPTER 3 This chapter deals with the optimization of a specific house type, to be designed in an ideal environment, to the point of zero fuel consumption for heating and cooling with the aid of microcomputer programmes for thermal analysis. Initially simplified thermal calculations are carried out by using "Method 5000°, a well established method adopted by the Commission of the European Community Handbook. These are followed by detailed hourly simulations of selected variants using dynamic simulation model SERIRES. CHAPTER 4 This chapter also makes use of thermal calculations as chapter 3, and concludes to comparative assessment of results obtained under chapter 3, and design recommendations for new houses through economic analysis of the varied design measures. From those the profile of the "Zero Energy House for Cyprus" is outlined. CHAPTER 5 The study in this chapter identifies the occupants' factors that influence the efficiency of building performance and the thermal environmental conditions of the "Zero Energy House". It analyses the intervention of the occupants in the design, which is reflected in the variable of fenestration. The analysis is carried out interdependently, in various combinations of shading and ventilation profiles, in computer simulations using thermal analysis programme "AGRI". A case-study further investigates the thermal effects of the user interaction with the building and confirms the validity of the simulation results. The proposed strategies, at the end of the chapter, aim at reducing the operational counter-effects on the building design. CHAPTER 6 The conclusions are outlined in the form of criteria for the selection of different design alternatives. These are based on flexibility, operational ease, potential thermal efficiency and elimination of constraints for securing optimal performance for "Zero Energy Houses" for Cyprus.

The aim of the thesis is to model energetic needs for heating and temperatures progress in the building with almost zero energy consumption. The part of the work is the economical and energetic comparison. Proposed systems are based on a knowledge of active houses.

Energy consumption and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from the UK built environment are reflective of the wider situation across Europe, where according to the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) "buildings account for 40% of total energy consumption in the Union" (European Commission, 2010). In December 2006 the UK Government announced a rapid transition to 'zero carbon' new buildings, as a key step forward in reducing GHG emissions from the domestic and non-domestic sectors (DCLG, 2006a; Weaver, 2007). The Passivhaus standard is the fastest growing energy performance standard in the world and in a growing number of regions across Europe it has been implemented as a mandatory minimum standard for all new buildings (iPHA, 2013). This thesis investigates the applicability of this low energy standard to the UK context, in comparison to conventional alternatives, by examining four inter-related themes: (i) in relation to climate change policy and the UK Government's plan for all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016; (ii) by addressing the limitations of the climate data currently used to design Passivhaus buildings, and developing a new methodology for creating higher resolution probabilistic climate data; (iii) by exploring the uncertainty about the future performance of Passivhaus dwellings in relation to future overheating risk and thereby proposing methods to improve whole life design optimization; (iv) by investigating the hygrothermal implications for new build and retrofit Passivhaus projects and highlighting areas where current risk assessment methods are inadequate. This thesis has argued that the transfer of the Passivhaus standard, or any advanced energy performance standard, from one country or region to another should be accompanied by an extensive programme of context specific research and application testing. The findings of this research have shown that the implementation of the Passivhaus standard, in its present format, in the UK is not without risk and uncertainty. This thesis concludes that that the majority of such risks can be substantially mitigated, through the incorporation of high resolution probabilistic climatic data, transient hygrothermal assessments and global sensitivity analysis techniques. The energy saving and thermal comfort potential of the Passivhaus approach have been shown to be substantial and therefore merit the challenges involved in addressing its successful implementation.

Women are victims of male oppression during countless stages of their lives. Female oppression is rooted in the culture of the societies and that makes patriarchal structures ongoing until this day. Patriarchal structures and social norms make it utterly difficult for women to find ways of liberating themselves from the norms. By using Butler’s performativity theory, an analysis of the novels Woman at Point Zero by Egyptian author Nawal El Saadawi and The House on Mango Street by Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros will be done in this study. With a focus on social norms and patriarchal structures within the novels, a connection will be made to the Swedish school system and how the use of non-Western literature and world literature plays an important role in the multicultural classroom. Being in different parts of the world, in different times and parts of different cultures does not stop women from being affected by social norms, and the analysis of Esperanza, Sally and Firdaus will prove this by applying Butler’s performativity theory, which she develops in texts such as Excitable Speech – a Politics of the Performative (1997) and Undoing Gender (2004).

These days create an enormous pressure on energy savings because of their high prices. For future it is obvious that their prices will grow. Not only the representatives of European Union realize this fact, but basicaly common people who run their houses and pay the bills. For this reason low - energy houses respectively passive houses are in the limelight. Reasons of economy should not be the only criterion of quality, but its integral part, one of several components. Energy efficient housing is a response in architecture and building to turbulent global warming. The aim of the work is try to specify how to conceive an efficient building with respect to its architectural quality in the contect of directions coming from European Union and which should be implemented soon in the Czech republic. Will zero house become driving force of architecture in Europe in 21st century? The result of the work will be useful in orientation how to conceive an efficient house with respect to its aesthetical quality.

Human efforts to increase their comfort rise in density of population in congested city areas, rapid growth of traffic and electric smog created due to constantly transforming communication technologies all resulted in an increase of stress in the immediate human environment. All of this, along with frequent reports about changes in global climate, gradually contributes to an alteration of thinking of the whole society, which is forced to face the consequences of economic damages caused by climatic changes. If we want to tenably assert adequate economic and social living conditions, we have to approach the natural environment in a more profound way. In accordance with the trend of substantional development for the purpose of enhancement of the quality of the living environment in the field of building industry, it is logical to concentrate on buildings, which are conceptually focused on saving of the energy. That is on energy-efficient houses. Pathway to sustainable building is not based on discovering one or several multipurpose technological solutions, but on usage of new designing principles, new materials and methods of processing them as well as new techniques of construction. For an effective creation of a building concept it is essential to have that kind of device which quickly responds to changes performed on a design, enables an easier work on variants and produces the most accurate results. Consistent application of energy optimizing methods is necessary particularly for designs of energy saving houses. Beginning efficient building design is the most “abstract factor of concept linked with very uncertain inputs,” because a lot of parameters in that moment is still unknown. Many mutually connected factors are invoked during designing passive house e.g. trajectory of the sun and the shielding effect of the surroundings, the aspect of sunlight and interior lighting, power quality construction, etc. Currently, the architect has no choice, he can use only well-known precepts, such as large windows are facing the South not the North. Unfortunately this "empirical formula" for the design of a real passive house is not enough. And yet the first draft of the house is most affected by not only its shape, form, but user´s comfortable, cost, feasibility and future energy behavior of buildings and related operating costs of the house too. It is obvious that this stage should not be underestimated, because “minor variation of the initial inputs greatly influence the outcomes.” With this reasoning, the work focuses on early stage design decision, i.e. the architectural concept of a passive house (an idea, vision). Therefore the aim of this work is to simplify the issue into understandable form, i.e. the creation of relatively simple and illustrative sketches, which generalize the issue satisfactorily, show the individual parameters (glazing, shading, shape, size, etc.) and change need of heat for heating passive house. The results of the work will be useful when the architect picks up the pencil and starts to think about his future house. At this point, he will have on hand sketches, which give him an idea and streamline his further design. Therefore the main goal is to create new outcomes and identify energy behaviour of buildings with a computational tool. This research works with virtual idealized mathematical model in the software PHPP 2007 CZ and uses "phenomenon" of parametric equations and sensitivity analysis.

In reference to Yves-Alain Bois and Rosalind Krauss in Formless: A User's Guide, 1997, which maps out a third area between the traditional dichotomy of form and content in the visual arts as originally suggested by Georges Bataille, this thesis looks at the notion of the Space of Nothing as a third space between form and content through the case study of Yves Kleinʼs gallery-emptying Le Vide - The Specialisation of Sensibility in the Raw Material of Stabilised Pictorial Sensibility 1958. This thesis is based on the realisation that artists since the birth of the conceptual art movement in the late 1950s, with specific later reference to the dematerialisation of the art object as defined by Lucy R. Lippard in 1967, have continued to explore spatial definition by directly adopting themes and forms of representation taken from architectural practice to describe concept-based and often immaterial, artworks. This is exemplified by the title of Roberta Smithʼs review of Michael Asherʼs project for the Santa Monica Museum of Art for The New York Times, March 2008 titled How Art is Framed: Exhibition floor plans as a conceptual medium. “The gray volumes of conceptualism are filled with somber ciphers which express primarily the inexpressibility of socially critical thought in the form of art. They embody a terrible contradiction. These artists attempted to break out of the prison house of the art business, its bureaucracy and architecture, and to turn toward social life. But in that process they reassumed the very emptiness they wished to put behind them,” Jeff Wall, 1988 [i] The core interest of this thesis lies in a theoretical reading of the spatial within conceptual art, the art of the immaterial. Can the experience of an artwork that is immaterial become corporealized? The titular reference to the verb to house in A Space to House Nothing is to be understood directly as; to accommodate nothing; to store nothing; to shelter nothing. It does not reference notions of the domestic or the home, nor do gender politics or such readings of the home as a site of gender rules play any role. Can the Space of Nothing be defined as an architectural site? The adoption of architectural themes and forms of representation are evident in the career of Dan Graham, yet his work is overtly concerned with multiplicity and the multi-layering of psychosis and the interweaving of viewer and participant. Although there is a natural overlap with regard to the architectural form of his work, the motivation is oblique to the focus of this thesis, which is centred on the use of the Space of Nothing as an architectural device. Lines of enquiry are considered in reference to Yves Kleinʼs Le Vide - The Specialisation of Sensibility in the Raw Material of Stabilised Pictorial Sensibility, 1958 as the genesis on which the research is sited. Theoretical analysis is examined through four key terms - nothingness, emptiness, zero and void. These terms are surveyed through mathematics, philosophy and language to create a theoretical model; the Space of Nothing (Chapter I). The new term is further explored through a series of specific classifications that catalogue artistic approaches to the Space of Nothing: doing nothing, mapping nothing, framing nothing, occupying nothing and listening to nothing (Chapter II: Strategies Toward Nothing). Artworks of this nature are often misunderstood as an extreme form of pure abstraction based on reductivist and formalist tenets or simply considered nihilistic. However, through spatial theory and the contexts of experience, memory and occupation (Chapter III: Nothing within Spatial Theory), the thesis establishes that the Space of Nothing can be read as complex, emotive and multi-faceted. As a practicing curator of contemporary art, it became important to understand curating as a spatial practice (Chapter IV: The Practice of Nothing). The major project NOTHINGNESS, a touring European exhibition of work by 25 major international artists, examined the premise of this thesis and acted as a visual record of enquiry of selected art projects. The exhibition opened at Galerie Eugen Lendl in Graz, Austria (8 Oct - 27 Nov, 2004) and later toured to Galerija Gregor Podnar, Ljubljana, Slovenia (25 Feb - 2 Apr, 2005) and was accompanied by a hardback illustrated catalogue (English/German) and published and distributed by Revolver Books, Frankfurt. The design research is further supported by additional curated projects including DAN GRAHAM: PERFORMANCE at Lisson New Space (12 July - 28 Aug, 2004), and site-specific installations and theoretical models as contributions to academic conferences and symposia, that explore the temporal nature of materiality, interior, void, boundary and frame. Endnotes [i] Graham, 1991 p. 19.

Tomtmarkerna i urban bebyggelse blir allt mer attraktiva. En minskning av byggnadsarean medger positiva ekonomiska effekter på markkostnaden då tomtpriserna tenderar att bli allt högre i stadsmiljö. En stor del av totalkostnaden vid nyproduktionen av ett enbostadshus är tomtpriset. Framtidens enbostadshus bör utformas med ett begränsat tomtbehov samt uppfylla framtida energikrav.   Examensarbetet har utförts i samarbete med småhustillverkaren Eksjöhus, vilka till följd av de ökade markpriserna upplever en minskad efterfrågan för nyproduktion av småhus. Likt övriga hustillverkare står Eksjöhus också inför uppfyllandet av framtida energikrav.   Syftet med examensarbetet är att utforma framtidens enbostadshus, genom att effektivisera tomtutnyttjandet och förbättra energiprestandan. Frågeställningarna vilka besvaras i arbetet är ”Vilken är den minsta möjliga bostadsarean för entréplanet i ett enbostadshus, med bibehållen tillgänglighet enligt svenska krav?”, ”Hur kan rumsfunktionerna disponeras för ett enbostadshus i tre våningar med bibehållna boendekvalitéer?”, ”Hur kan ett enbostadshus utformas för att klara EUs direktiv för år 2020 beträffande byggnaders energiprestanda?”. Målet med arbetet är att utforma ett enbostadshus i tre våningar med minsta möjliga bostadsarea på entréplanet, som klarar EUs direktiv för år 2020 beträffande byggnaders energiprestanda.   En litteraturstudie genomfördes för att utreda kompaktboendets effekter på boendekvalitén samt energieffektiv byggnadsutformning. En fallstudie av tre byggnader utreddes boende i flera plan. Utformningen av framtidens enbostadshus genomfördes i ett skissarbete och slutligen beräknades byggnaden för att uppfylla den rådande kravspecifikationen för NNE-hus.   En yteffektiv planutformning åstadkoms genom överlappandet av betjäningsareor, effektiv disposition av rumsfunktioner samt gemensamma kommunikationsytor. Entréplanets utformning resulterade i en bostadsarea på 51,4 m2. Byggnaden är utformad för att tillgodose kravet på tillgänglighet i enlighet med BBR och SIS. Rumsfunktionerna som finns representerade på entréplanet är kök, badrum, avskiljbar sängplats samt utrymme för sittgrupp, matplats, tvätt och förvaring. Plan 2 utgörs till största del av ett vardagsrum vilket knyts samman med entréplanets sociala funktioner. Byggandens privata våning utgörs av plan 3 vilket inrymmer två av byggandens tre sovrum.   Byggnaden följer nu gällande krav för 2020-målet, utformat som ett NNE-hus genom en energieffektiv utformning och egenproduktion av el från solceller. Vår slutsats är att förhållande, disponering, kommunikation av rumsfunktioner samt åtskild placering av privata och sociala utrymmen är väsentligt för att minimera bostadsarean samt för att bibehålla en god bostadskvalité.
Building plots in urban settlements are becoming more attractive. A reduction of the gross floor area allows a positive economic impact on the cost when the prices tend to become high in urban settlements. A large amount of the total cost for the production of a new one-family house is the price of the building plot. The future one-family house should be designed with a limited need of land and also meet future energy demands.   The work was performed in collaboration with the small house manufacturer Eksjöhus, which due to the increased price of land are experiencing a decline in demand for construction of new one-family houses. Like the rest of the small house manufacturer, Eksjöhus are also facing the fulfillment of future energy requirements.   The purpose of this study is to design tomorrow's one-family house, by increasing the efficiency of land use and to improve the energy performance. The questions, which are answered in this work are "What is the minimum floor space for the ground floor of a one-family house, while maintaining accessibility according to Swedish demands?", "How can room functions be arrange for a one-family house in three floors with maintained housing qualities?", "How can a one-family house be designed to meet the future EU energy strategy towards 2020 concerning energy performance of buildings? ". The goal of this work is to design a one-family house in three floors with a minimum floor space on the entrance floor, which meet the future EU energy strategy towards 2020.   A literature study was conducted to investigate the impact of compact living on the living quality and energy efficient building design. In a case study of three buildings, housing in several floors was investigated. The design of a future onefamily house was conducted in a sketch work and finally the building was calculated to fulfill the current specification for a Zero-energy building.   A space-efficient plan design is accomplished by overlap the service areas, efficient disposition of room functions and by shared communication areas. The design of the entrance floor resulted in a gross internal area of 51,4 m2. The building is designed to meet the requirement of accessibility according to BBR and SIS.   Room functions which are represented on the entrance floor are kitchen, bathroom, separable bed space and space for sitting, dining, laundry and storage. Plan 2 consists of a large living room which is connected to the social functions on the entrance floor. The private floor of the building is plan 3 which consist of two of the building's three bedrooms.   The building is designed to meet the future EU energy strategy towards 2020. The building is a Zero-energy building due to the energy efficient design and the selfproduction of electricity from solar cells.   Our conclusion is that the relationship, disposition, communication and the separate placement of private and social spaces is essential to reduce the living space and to maintain good housing quality.

The building sector consumes about 40 % of the total global primary energy, 60 % of the total electricity and accounts for about 30 % of all greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP, 2015). The zero energy building (ZEB) concept is considered as a step towards reducing the environmental impact of the building sector (European Parliment, Council of the European Union, 2010). This work has reviewed the concept of ZEBs by looking at three different definitions available in Sweden: nearly ZEB by Boverket (the Swedish Board of Housing, Building and Planning), ZEB by Sveriges Centrum för Nollenergihus (SCNH), Swedish center for ZEBs, and net primary ZEB by Skanska. The proposal by Boverket may form a basis for the statutory requirements for all new buildings in Sweden after 2020. The work also comprised a performance analysis, as well as a review of the development process, of terraced houses in Sweden built by Skanska according to their net primary ZEB definition.The overall objective was to facilitate the implementation of future ZEB projects. This was done by highlighting differences among the three definitions and how the implementation of Boverket’s proposal will impact other definitions. The performance analysis and process review pinpointed problem areas, acknowledging both technical, social, and economic aspects linked to the ZEB concept, which can be improved in order to successfully implement ZEBs in the future.To compare the definitions, a framework developed by Sartori et al. was used (Sartori, et al., 2012). A deductive approach was then used where a numerical analysis of one the terraced houses energy system was compared to simulations. The focus for the definition and performance analysis was the energy use of the building. In order to take other perspectives into account, the occupant experience as well as the building development process were investigated. This was done using an inductive approach by conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews with occupants and employees of the construction company.The definition comparison showed that there are important differences among the three definitions. The main differences were the system boundaries, the net balance and the energy efficiency requirements. It also showed that Skanska’s definition is directly affected by Boverket’s proposal, while SCNH’s definition may be indirectly affected.The performance analysis together with the interviews with occupants showed that uncomfortable indoor temperatures were the main problem in the buildings of study. The conclusion was that the specifications of a ZEB has to be acknowledged when choosing technical installations in a building. Furtherly, information to the occupants is seen as an important aspect in order to help them maintain a comfortable indoor environment in their homes.Interviews with employees showed that some problems may have occurred due to a lack of understanding of and commitment to the ZEB concept. Furtherly, all involved in a ZEB project needs to be informed of the concept and energy targets and encouraged to successfully reach goals and to avoid miscommunication.For “pilot projects” like the one studied in this report, it is suggested to include detailed design earlier in the project, in order to include cost for specific solutions needed for a ZEB. Interviews with occupants indicated that some may be willing to pay more for a ZEB building, therefore it is recommended to investigate the value of marketing this.
Byggnadssektorn står för runt 40 % av världens totala primärenergibehov, 60 % av elbehovet samt ger upphov till omkring 30 % av alla växtgasutsläpp (UNEP, 2015). Konceptet nollenergihus anses vara ett steg på vägen till att reducera byggnadssektorns miljöpåverkan (European Parliment, Council of the European Union, 2010). Detta arbete har granskat konceptet nollenergihus genom att utvärdera tre olika svenska definitioner för detta: nära nollenergihus enligt Boverket, nollenergihus enligt Sveriges Centrum för Nollenergihus (SCNH) och netto noll primärenergihus enligt Skanska. Förslaget för nära nollenergihus av Boverket kan komma att ligga till grund för de lagstadgade kraven för alla nya byggnader i Sverige från 2020. Detta arbete behandlar även en driftutvärdering samt en analys av utvecklingsprocessen av ett grupp radhus i Sverige byggda av Skanska enligt deras definition av netto noll primärenergihus.Det övergripande målet var att förenkla för nollenergiprojekt i framtiden. Detta gjordes genom att belysa skillnader mellan de tre definitionerna och hur implementeringen av Boverkets förslag kan komma att påverka de övriga. Driftsanalysen och granskningen av utvecklingsprocessen utfördes för att visa på problemområden med förbättringspotential, både vad gäller tekniska, sociala och ekonomiska aspekter, kopplade till konceptet nollenergihus.För att jämföra de tre nollenergidefinitionerna, användes ett ramverk utvecklat av Sartori et al. (Sartori, et al., 2012). För att driftsutvärdera byggnadens energisystem användes en deduktiv metod där uppmätt och normaliserad data jämfördes med simulerade värden. Fokus för definitions – och driftsutvärderingen var byggnadens energianvändning. För att få ett bredare perspektiv så undersöktes användarnas upplevelser samt utvecklingsprocessen. En induktiv metod användes för detta där semistrukturerade, kvalitativa intervjuer med boende och personer som arbetat i projektet genomfördes.Jämförelsen av de tre definitionerna visade att det finns viktiga skillnader mellan dessa. De huvudsakliga skillnaderna berör systemgränser, nettobalanser och krav på energieffektivitet. Jämförelsen visar också att Skanskas definition skulle bli direkt påverkat om Boverkets förslag skulle träda i kraft, medan SCNHs förslag kan komma att bli indirekt påverkat.Driftsutvärderingen tillsammans med boendeintervjuerna visade att obekväma inomhustemperaturer har utgjort huvudproblemet i de undersökta radhusen. Slutsatsen som kan dras av detta är att hänsyn måste tas till specifika förutsättningar för nollenergihus vid val av tekniska lösningar i en sådan byggnad. Vidare anses information till de boende vara en annan viktig aspekt för att de ska kunna bibehålla en behaglig inomhusmiljö i sina hem.Intervjuer med anställda i projektet visar att vissa problem har uppkommit p.g.a. en bristande förståelse och engagemang för konceptet nollenergihus. Således behöver alla involverade i ett nollenergihusprojekt informeras om koncept och energimål och uppmuntras att arbeta enligt dessa för att kunna säkerställa att målen av ett nollenergihus kan nås, samt för att undvika missförstånd.För “pilotprojekt”, likt det som studerats i detta arbete, föreslås det att projektering bör tidigareläggas i arbetsprocessen, så att kostnaden för de specifika lösningarna inkluderas tidigt. Intervjuer med boende har indikerat att vissa kan tänka sig att betala mer för ett nollenergihus, varför det också rekommenderas att denna marknadspotential undersöks vidare.

This theoretical diploma thesis deals with „nearly zero energy buildings“. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate building constructions based on their impact on thermal requirements fulfilment and apply results of the evaluation on a design of a nearly zero energy building. The thesis describes individual factors impacting energy consumption of a nearly zero house building, evaluates individual types of insulations systems for roof constructions, analyses window details, foundation details and connection of roof and external wall or the floor structure and external wall. The basic criteria for the evaluation is the fulfilment of the thermal requirements as well as the costs of the construction itself and energy consumption for the individual construction or detail. The specialized part of the thesis deals with design and comparison of 2 types of timber roof truss systems, the purlin roof and the collar roof. The suitability of the roof systems for nearly zero energy building is evaluated as well. The result of he thesis is the proposal of solutions for the nearly zero energy building. The proposal consists of layout solutions, design of suitable construction system, load-bearing system including drawings. The output is also Energy Performance Certificate.

In relation to energy savings, the development of constructing energy-saving houses, which includes low-energy, passive and zero houses, started to be created. The diploma thesis helps readers to be better informed about energy-saving houses, their development during history and their main features. The last two chapters show the development of constructing energy-saving houses in the Czech Republic in graphs. They also show in which regions are these houses built the most and which construction system and way of using is preferred.

This master’s thesis is dealing with the plan of reconstruction of the house in an effort to get closer to "near zero building". Total heat loss along with calculation of the cost of the house operation and the energy performance of buildings were computed for the given house. Then we have enclosed suggestions of individual methods of building´s insulation (replacing of windows, doors and gates, insulation of exterior walls, roof and ceiling between floor and attic) and a draft of a new technical building services (forced ventilation with heat recovery, photovoltaic system and heat pump). Furthermore, the suitability of the original heating system was evaluated and the also the energy performance for the renovated building was analyzed during the reconstruction. An economic evaluation was calculated for each method of reconstruction, together with the new green subsidy programme. At the end of the dissertation is drawn up the economic evaluation of the whole proposed reconstruction, together with an assessment, what class of the building we have achieved according to its the energy intensity.

Examensarbetet är gjort med avseendet på att kraven för nyproduktion av småhus skärps i Sverige under sommaren 2018, men även i samtliga EU-länder skall kraven vara genomförda innan år 2021. Kraven är riktade mot den totala energiförbrukningen av nybyggda bostäder i brukstillstånd och att specifik energianvändning som tidigare används ersätts med primärenergi för att räkna ut förbrukningen. Därför står hela byggbranschen inför stora förändringar men framförallt småhustillverkarna där deras tidigare krav med beräkningar utifrån specifik energianvändning inte längre gäller. Primärenergiberäkningen är baserad på specifika energibärare som nu blir betydligt viktigare för beräkningarna samt att formeln ser annorlunda ut vilket leder till nya värden som inte går att jämföra med tidigare kravnivåer. Undersökningen gjordes med hjälp av ett typhus från Vårgårda hus, målet var att huset skulle klara kraven oberoende av vart i landet det är placerat och vald uppvärmningskälla. Men även en viktig aspekt var hur prisskillnaderna på de olika konstruktions- och uppvärmningslösningar faller ut, detta gjordes med programvaran Bidcon för att tydligt se de ingående kostnader för varje fall. För att uppnå detta gjordes en parameterstudie med olika uppvärmningskällor och andra smarta konstruktionslösningar, för att se om huset klarade kraven på fyra olika geografiska lägen i Sverige med hjälp av VIP-Energy. Resultatet visar tydligt att typhuset enbart klarar kraven när det är placerat i Malmö i orginalutförande och inte i Lanna, Örebro län där det är placerat i verkligheten. Det gör att olika besparingslösningar krävs och det mest energieffektiva sättet är att utrusta huset med en Bergvärmepump och ett FTX-system för alla testade zoner. Dock blir det kostnadseffektivast med avseende på slutpriset att använda fjärrvärme med ett FTX-system för att klara kraven i alla de testade geografiska zonerna.
The thesis is done with consideration to the new stricter requirements for production of houses in Sweden during the summer of 2018, but the requirements must also be met in all EU countries before the year 2021. The requirements are directed against the total energy consumption of newly built dwellings at operation stage and that specific energy use previously used is replaced with primary energy to calculate consumption. Therefore, the whole construction industry is facing major changes, but above all house manufacturers where their previous requirements with calculations based on specific energy use are no longer valid. The primary energy calculation is based on specific energy carriers, which is much more important for the calculations, and the formula looks different, which leads to new values that cannot be compared with previous requirements levels. The survey was conducted using a specific house from Vårgårda hus, the goal was that the house would meet the requirements regardless of where in the country it is placed and selected heating source. But another important aspect was how the price differences on the different design and heating solutions panned out, this was done with the software Bidcon to clearly see the input costs for each case. To achieve this, a parameter study with different heating sources and other smart design solutions was made to see if the house passed the requirements of four different geographical locations in Sweden using VIP-Energy. The result shows clearly that our specific house only meets the requirements when it is placed in Malmö in the original design and not in Lanna, Örebro County where it is placed in reality. This means that different savings solutions are required and the most energy efficient way is to equip the house with a geothermal heat pump and an FTX system for all tested zones. However, it will be most cost-effective in terms of the final price to use district heating with an FTX system to meet the requirements of all the tested geographical zones.

Dissertation deals with the technical parameters of natural thermal insulation. In addition, there is a global trend in the construction of reducing energy consumption for heating, air conditioning, or with operating facilities in buildings and the use of perspective and efficient building materials with a negligible negative impact on the environment. Therefore, the attention not only professionals are increasingly turning to alternative materials, such as natural insulation, the material can be drawn from local sources and whose production is energy-saving and leaving a small ecological footprint. As part of the doctoral thesis were tested short term water absorption, measurements were made of the thermal conductivity and its change after the test short term water absorption. Was determined dependence of thermal conductivity on humidity and heat resistance was determined. Moreover a natural insulation applications in building construction with a comparison of the various technical parameters and environmental footprint. At the conclusion was made by acoustic insulation in timber construction and price analysis.

Purpose: This degree project aims to see how the energy demand from active heating of detached houses can be improved to meet the energy performance requirements set for nearly zero-energy buildings by Boverket (The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning). Method: To accomplish this, the benefits from two different energy-saving installations are studied: bedrock heat pumps and heat exchangers in Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems (HRV-systems). These are then compared in a new and an older detached house with very different heat losses. There are several reports of energy-saving systems in detached houses. What distinguishes this work is that it compares the specific results from the added energy-saving system depending on whether it was added first or last. The older detached house is an important part of this work as it represents a possible impact on parts of the existing housing stock with a similar technical standard. The energy balance for the buildings is calculated monthly with all contributions from passive heat considered, and with the energy demand for active heating as the main result. Results: It is very difficult to meet the energy performance requirements for an older detached house without extensive measures or renovations. The HRV-system had a low to very low impact. Both types of detached houses have a lot to gain from an investment in bedrock heating, especially the older one that has high energy demands. However, the new detached house with a higher technical standard in the building envelope, was the only one to meet the energy requirements with the bedrock heat pump on its own. Conclusion: Bedrock heating can be a very profitable investment as it provides heat both for the active heating of the building as well as for the domestic hot water. In order to meet tougher energy requirements, the bedrock heat pump may need to be accompanied by an improved and more energy-efficient building envelope and the supply of self-produced electricity, such as solar cells. HRV-systems require a good air tightness and an energy-efficient building envelope to be profitable. In older detached houses, it is not a profitable investment, as it does not have sufficiently large proportions of controlled ventilation to work with. In newer houses the proportion of controlled ventilation is bigger, but the amount of heat loss that can be affected is still not as big as the energy savings a bedrock heat pump can bring.

This thesis investigated application of the heat recovery ventilation using an exhaust air heat pump and a roof top photovoltaic (PV) system for a group of three multi-family houses located in Ludvika, Sunnansjö. The buildings in the existing condition have mechanical ventilation and a centralized heating system consists of a pellet boiler as the main source and an oil boiler as back up. Exhaust air heat pump (EAHP) has been known by the previous relevant researches as an effective solution to promote the energy efficiency in the buildings. Furthermore, reduction in PV cost has made the PV as a financially viable option to be contributed in supplying electricity demand. In this respect, this thesis aimed to calculate the potential of energy saving in the case study using the combination of EAHP and PV. For this purpose, the buildings and the proposed energy system were simulated to enable the comparison of energy demand before and after the renovation. The simulation was gradually progressed through several phases and each stage created the prerequisites of the next. Since the buildings were relatively similar in terms of boundary conditions, one of the buildings were initially modeled and the concluded space heating (SH) demand was extrapolated to the three buildings scope. The simulation of the building was done using 3dimensional thermal model offered by Trnsys3d. The primary results were also calibrated against the available annual fuel consumption data. In the second phase, a pre-developed TRNSYS model of the energy system was completed using the result of previous step as the total SH demand as well as the estimated domestic hot water (DHW) consumption from a stochastic model. This simulation produced the electricity demand profile of the heat pump when the heat pump provided the total heat demand. Subsequently, the electricity consumption of the flats and operational equipment were estimated using stochastic model and available monthly measurement, respectively. Since the feasibility and optimal placement of 74 𝑘𝑊 PV modules offered for these buildings had been already examined by the author in another study, the final simulation were performed in an hourly basis considering PV production and total electricity demand; i.e. EAHP, flats consumption and operational equipment. The results of the simulation showed that 21 % of total electricity demand during a year could be supplied by the proposed PV system even without any electrical storage, whereas 74 % of total yearly PV production is consumed by the local loads. The results also proved that removing old inefficient oil boiler and supplementing the pellet boiler with the combination of EAHP and PV could mitigate the annual purchased energy (including electricity and pellet) by approximately 40 % compared to the current condition.

This thesis presents a comprehensive, whole-system energy analysis of ÉcoTerra using measured data. ÉcoTerra is a low-energy, near net-zero energy, solar house. It was constructed as part of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, and incorporates a building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal roof coupled with a ventilated concrete slab. The roof collects thermal energy and generates electrical energy simultaneously. The thermal energy is collection is achieved by passing air under the surface of the roof and ducting this air into the house. This thermal energy is used to preheat domestic hot water, actively heat the ventilated concrete slab, and for drying clothes. The energy stored in the slab is released passively into the space. The overall energy use and end-use breakdown of the house are analyzed and discussed. The house's control system is documented, as are the changes that were made to the controls since construction. The main contributions of this work include a comprehensive energy analysis of the house and the identification of important conclusions and lessons learned. Recommendations are also made as to how ÉcoTerra, and future low-energy homes, could reach net-zero energy consumption. Large amounts of high quality data have been collected since the construction of the house, and significant effort was made, as part of this work, to structure and organize the data into usable forms for future research.

Research on net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) has been largely centered around improving building energy performance, while little attention has been given to indoor air quality. A critically important class of indoor air pollutants are nanoaerosols – airborne particulate matter smaller than 100 nm in size. Nanoaerosols penetrate deep into the human respiratory system and are associated with deleterious toxicological and human health outcomes. An important step towards improving indoor air quality in NZEBs is understanding how occupants, their activities, and building systems affect the emissions and fate of nanoaerosols. New developments in smart energy monitoring systems and smart thermostats offer a unique opportunity to track occupant activity patterns and the operational status of residential HVAC systems. In this study, we conducted a one-month field campaign in an occupied residential NZEB, the Purdue ReNEWW House, to explore how energy use profiles and smart thermostat data can be used to characterize indoor nanoaerosol dynamics. A Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer and Optical Particle Sizer were used to measure indoor aerosol concentrations and size distributions from 10 to 10,000 nm. AC current sensors were used to monitor electricity consumption of kitchen appliances (cooktop, oven, toaster, microwave, kitchen hood), the air handling unit (AHU), and the energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Two Ecobee smart thermostats informed the fractional amount of supply airflow directed to the basement and main floor. The nanoaerosol concentrations and energy use profiles were integrated with an aerosol physics-based material balance model to quantify nanoaerosol source and loss processes. Cooking activities were found to dominate the emissions of indoor nanoaerosols, often elevating indoor nanoaerosol concentrations beyond 10⁴ cm^-3. The emission rates for different cooking appliances varied from 10¹¹ h^-1 to 10¹⁴ h^-1. Loss rates were found to be significantly different between AHU/ERV off and on conditions, with median loss rates of 1.43 h^-1 to 3.68 h^-1, respectively. Probability density functions of the source and loss rates for different scenarios will be used in Monte Carlo simulations to predict indoor nanoaerosol concentrations in NZEBs using only energy consumption and smart thermostat data.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Energia para a Sustentabilidade apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra.
Over the coming years, electricity utilization management is becoming vitally important for all businesses and individuals. However, supply follows demand philosophy of the traditional electric power grid cannot be applicable for current costumers: On one hand renewable energy, particularly photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly used in buildings to cover the energy needs, and on the other hand the number of devices using electricity is quickly growing, leading to increasing energy consumption. New solutions like smart grids and new technologies like energy storage systems are becoming necessary to solve this problem. Although, PV systems can help to make the costumers more independent from the grid, the balance between solar energy production and consumption can be mainly obtained with the help of the electric grid and energy storage systems. Despite this, determining the strategy that should be taken by the house owners to get the most bene ts of these technologies and minimize the overall cost is the major challenge. In this research work a cost-bene t analysis in a grid connected-house equipped with PV and energy storage is done. This analysis has two objectives: veri cation of the impact of dynamic pricing on the cost, and also veri cation of the impact of energy storage on the cost. For the rst objective, the most common supporting policies for promoting renewable energies were assessed, including feed-in-tari and net-metering, to calculate the cost. For the second objective the cost was calculated by considering an energy storage in the target residential house. In addition, di erent sizes of energy storage were considered to observer the impact of the capacity of energy storage system on the cost.
Nos próximos anos, a gestão de utilização de eletricidade será cada vez mais fundamental para empresas e clientes individuais. No entanto, a loso a da oferta a seguir a procura das redes elétricas tradicionais não se pode aplicar aos clientes atuais: Por um lado, as energias renováveis, em particular os sistemas fotovoltaicos (PV), são cada vez mais usadas em edifícios para cobrir as necessidades de energia; por outro lado, o número de dispositivos que necessitam de usar eletricidade está a aumentar rapidamente, levando ao aumento do consumo de energia. Novas soluções como as smart grids e novas tecnologias como sistemas de armazenamento de energia são cada vez mais necessárias para resolver este problema. Apesar de os sistemas PV poderem ajudar os clientes a tornarem-se mais independentes da rede, o equilíbrio entre a produção e o consumo de energia solar pode ser principalmente obtido com o auxílio da rede elétrica e de sistemas de armazenamento de energia. Apesar disto, determinar a estratégia a seguir pelos proprietários dos edifícios, para poderem retirar os maiores benefícios destas tecnologias e minimizar o custo global, é o principal desa o. Neste trabalho de investigação, é feita uma análise custo-benefício numa casa ligada à rede, equipada com PV e um sistema de armazenamento de energia. Esta análise tem dois objetivos: veri cação do impacto de preços dinâmicos no custo e veri cação do impacto do armazenamento de energia no custo. Para o primeiro objetivo, foram avaliadas as políticas mais comuns para promoção das energias renováveis, incluindo feed-in-tari s e net-metering, para calcular o custo. Para o segundo objetivo, o custo foi calculado tendo em consideração o uso do sistema de armazenamento de energia na casa residencial em estudo. Adicionalmente, diferentes tamanhos de armazenamento de energia foram considerados para observar o impacto da capacidade do sistema de armazenamento de energia no custo.

This study demonstrates how the density of a neighbourhood affects its energy demand, metabolism (energy and material flows) and its ability to produce its own energy. Single-family detached houses and row townhouses were each modeled using passive solar housing guidelines with the DesignBuilder building energy simulation software. Energy demand is then modeled within neighbourhoods at two densities based on south facing windows fully un-shaded at 9:00 am, and 12:00 pm solar time on Dec. 21. The neighbourhood metabolisms were then calculated based on location and density. The potential energy supply was evaluated from the spatial characteristics of the neighbourhood (for solar) and the metabolism (municipal solid waste and wastewater flows.) The potential energy demand and supply are then compared for the varying building types and densities to determine the sensitivity of the energy supply and demand relationships.

In this thesis, two main house models have been developed for the Montreal, QC climate using the TRNSYS simulation software. The first is the Base Case House model which is a typical 1994 Quebec house construction that is used as a baseline for comparison. The second is the Net Zero Energy House (NZEH) model which is an energy efficient, modified version of the Base Case House containing solar technologies that capture energy (solar collectors) and produce electricity (photovoltaics). The main heating system is also modified from electric baseboard heaters to radiant floors fed by a solar combisystem. Extensive sensitivity analyses are performed on the models in order to determine the best selections for the NZEH in terms of the envelope, energy efficient technologies and solar technologies. Cost and embodied energy analyses are performed on various solar technology combinations (evacuated tube solar collector with PV and flat plate collectors with PV) in order to determine the best mix of these systems when constructing an environmentally friendly and cost effective house. In terms of annual energy use, the Base Case House requires 25,615 kWh/yr compared to the NZEH which uses 14,061 kWh/yr (before adding any solar collectors or PV modules). The most cost effective combination of solar collectors and PV modules to add to this improved house and make it truly `net-zero' is 4 flat plate solar collectors and 35.8 PV modules. A detailed cost analysis of the NZEH shows that due to the high cost of the solar technologies and the low cost of electricity in Montreal, financial payback is never achieved. However, looking at the house improvements before the solar technologies are added results in a payback of 39.3 years, and the potential to reduce that further, to 6.1 years, with some modifications to the design. In terms of the life cycle energy use, which considers the operating and embodied energy of the houses, the complete NZEH uses 63% less energy than the Base Case House and has an energy payback of 8.4 years.

This thesis examines the effects of monetary policy shocks on the housing market. To this end, TVP-VAR model with dynamic dimension selection and stochastic volatility is estimated using monthly data for the United States over the period 1999-2017. Moreover, the model features estimating the optimal value of the Bayesian shrinkage coefficient in a time-varying manner. Since the sample covers the Zero Lower Bound period, Wu-Xia shadow rate is employed to measure the stance of monetary policy. To assess the link between housing variables and monetary policy, impulse responses and forecast error variance decompositions are provided. However, due to the time-varying nature of the model, they are estimated only for selected time periods that correspond both to the events that most likely influenced the path of macroeconomic and financial variables and to periods of low economic uncertainty. The main results are threefold. First, the model suggests that monetary policy shocks can contribute to developments in house prices. Second, the stimulative monetary policy positively affects residential investment and negatively affects mortgage rates, however, the effects are not significant due to the large confidence bands of the impulse responses. Third, higher values of the shrinkage hyperparameter are crucial for...