Zero Energy Building - A Passive Approach

Civil Engineering

A ‘ZERO ENERGY BUILDING (ZEB) is a building with annual net energy consumption nearly equal to zero. With recent advances in building technology ZEB has gained a worldwide attention and it is expected to be delivered and adapted in urban areas on larger scales all around the world by 2025. The reduction in green house gas emission is vital due to exponentially rising global climatic change, hence it is necessary to incorporate passive house designs and renewable energy resources constituting zero energy building. In addition to energy saving, the ZEB also gives comfortable indoor environment to the residents. The basic concept in ZEB is that the heat can be maximum or minimum inside the building envelope based on the outer climatic conditions and this can be achieved by keeping the house airtight and insulated. The basic principle in passive houses is not incorporate heating and cooling systems. ZEB principle is based on the high energy efficiency level and renewable energy systems causing the remaining energy needs of the building seem negligible. This report concentrates on ZEB definitions and various options available in ZEB envelope components such as walls, roofs, glazing, ventilation and also different types of materials that can adopted for thermal comfort and energy efficiency purposes. This review paper emphasizes better ZEB construction, maintenance and adoption in the future.

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