Towards nearly zero-energy buildings in 2020 in the Netherlands

Abstract

The aim of this article is to give information and insight in nearly zeroenergy building (nZEB) developments in the Netherlands that will occur in the near future and what consequences these developments have for buildings, in particular for building services. In 2020, all newly built buildings have to comply with the nZEB regulation with an energy performance coefficient ≈ 0. To support the future policy on energy performance improvements, this study provides a roadmap towards nZEBs with a technical and financial feasibility framework. Life-cycle cost calculations, also beyond cost optimality, are essential for determining the Dutch nZEB definition, because these determine if the energy efficient measures are profitable, cost-effective, and can be implemented in the building law.