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The nZEB Requirements for Residential Buildings: An Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Actual Energy Needs in Portuguese Climate

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  • Jaime Resende

    (CONSTRUCT (LFC), Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Helena Corvacho

    (CONSTRUCT (LFC), Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

As of now, in the EU, all new buildings will have to comply with the requirements for nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB). Portugal defines limits for the maximum useful energy needs for heating and for the maximum primary energy needs and establishes that 50% of primary energy needs must be covered by local renewable energy sources, based on the dwellings’ nominal condition of use. However, the actual use is different. Thus, a simulation tool is used to assess thermal comfort and energy needs for different conditions of use of a dwelling complying with nZEB requirements. Eight different locations are chosen, covering all Portuguese climate zones. The nZEB requirements lead to unusually high levels of thermal insulation, especially in the coldest regions, so special care must be taken by the designers to avoid overheating in summer. Without using HVAC system, some discomfort is found but comfort is possible with low energy consumption. Furthermore, the compliance with nZEB requirements proved to be enough to ensure that a significant percentage of useful energy needs for heating, cooling and domestic hot water is supplied by local renewable energy sources. This is key in order to overcome the high rate of energy poverty in Portugal.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Resende & Helena Corvacho, 2021. "The nZEB Requirements for Residential Buildings: An Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Actual Energy Needs in Portuguese Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8277-:d:600648
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Khozema Ahmed Ali & Mardiana Idayu Ahmad & Yusri Yusup, 2020. "Issues, Impacts, and Mitigations of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Building Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Santos-Herrero, J.M. & Lopez-Guede, J.M. & Flores-Abascal, I., 2021. "Modeling, simulation and control tools for nZEB: A state-of-the-art review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Aljundi, K. & Figueiredo, A. & Vieira, A. & Lapa, J. & Cardoso, R., 2024. "Geothermal energy system application: From basic standard performance to sustainability reflection," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    2. Pilar Mercader-Moyano & Paula Anaya-Durán & Ana Romero-Cortés, 2021. "Eco-Efficient Ventilated Facades Based on Circular Economy for Residential Buildings as an Improvement of Energy Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Benedek Kiss & Jose Dinis Silvestre & Rita Andrade Santos & Zsuzsa Szalay, 2021. "Environmental and Economic Optimisation of Buildings in Portugal and Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Despoina Antypa & Foteini Petrakli & Anastasia Gkika & Pamela Voigt & Alexander Kahnt & Robert Böhm & Jan Suchorzewski & Andreia Araújo & Susana Sousa & Elias P. Koumoulos, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment of Advanced Building Components towards NZEBs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Inês Teixeira & Ana Cristina Ferreira & Nelson Rodrigues & Senhorinha Teixeira, 2024. "Energy Poverty and Its Indicators: A Multidimensional Framework from Literature," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-30, July.

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