Learning from best practice low energy housing retrofit

Europe now expects an evolution of the building sector towards \u84near zero energy? buildings. In Belgium, the passive house concept offers a feasible portal towards 0-energy developments. Meanwhile, for the major market of renovations, we still have to learn-by-doing what is achievable from demonstration projects. Different technological options and concepts (low energy, passive house, zero energy) to reduce the energy consumption have been analyzed in the framework of the Belgian Low Energy Housing Retrofit (LEHR) project. Based on the LEHR research, the paper discusses the Belgian context for 0-energy development, and the feasibility of achieving 0-energy renovations by means of the passive house concept in Belgium. We present a detailed case study and discuss results and lessons considering innovation adoption. The research detected possibilities and hindrances considering the market introduction and early adoption in Belgium of innovative technologies and concepts for reaching near zero energy renovations in Belgium.OTB onderzoekOTB Research Institute for the Built Environmen

Demonstration projects of nearly zero-energy housing renovation as a vehicle to market development

The EU ‘Energy Performance of Buildings Directive’ (2010/31/EU) requires Member States to ensure that all new buildings which are constructed by 2021 are nearly zero-energy buildings. This requirement takes effect in 2019 for public buildings. Actions and measures must be taken to increase the number of nearly zero-energy buildings for both new and existing buildings. The number of new buildings is only a fragment of the complete building stock, and with the current rate and depth of renovation a large potential on energy savings is being neglected with the risk of not reaching the EU policy goals. In most countries implementation of holistic energy efficient solutions in the housing sector is still at an early market development stage. However, the state of the art regarding available technology solutions is rather at an advanced level. Also, there are emerging examples of deep renovation that can be used for knowledge, experience, awareness raising and promotion. To realise these high quality house renovations as well as increase in their number, novel business approaches for this emerging market are needed.OTB ResearchOTB Research Institute for the Built Environmen

Developing an integrated offer for sustainable renovations

Within an ERANET-ERACOBUILD project, this study investigates the opportunities and barriers to establish a “one stop shop” with an integrated supply side, to counteract the fragmented offer in sustainable renovation of single-family houses and to increase the level of knowledge, skills and innovations. Aspects of providing reliable information and guidance for house-owners are also included. Starting from a survey directed to the Flemish construction sector, we tried to distill the viewpoint and willingness of enterprises to cooperate in such a one-stop-shop idea. The survey concludes that the increase of holistic very low energy renovations is expected in a short time and that a large percentage of companies is willing to work together. However, socio-technical and know-how barriers to accomplish this still remain. With these results - and an analysis of existing websites providing an interface between suppliers and owner-occupants - business models, training and other activities will be set up to establish a one-stop shop model within the continuation of this project. A test case is foreseen.OTB ResearchOTB Research Institute for the Built Environmen