A two-step approach for cost-effective design analysis of Net Zero Energy Homes

• Main Authors: Li, Hong Xian, Li, Yan, Zhang, Limao
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Civil engineering; Capital Cost; Net Zero Energy Home (NZEH)
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/154655
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Net Zero Energy Homes (NZEHs) have emerged as the solution to achieve sustainable house design. However, an NZEH entails higher capital cost compared with that of a conventional home, which comprises the main barrier for promoting NZEHs. In addressing this issue and promoting the cost-effective design of NZEHs, a two-step cost analysis framework with a mathematical model is proposed in this research: (1) qualified NZEH design scenarios are selected based on energy simulation, monitoring, and the acceptance as an NZEH in terms of energy balance; and (2) cost performance is analyzed for these qualified NZEH design scenarios, based on which the cost-effective design scenario is identified for an NZEH. Through the innovative two-step cost analysis with the optimization model, the cost-effective scenario is identified for NZEH design, while the identified design scenario also meets net-zero energy requirements. The proposed research framework with the mathematical model is demonstrated using an NZEH in Edmonton, Canada, as an example, and a capital cost savings of 4.2% is achieved by applying the proposed two-step approach in this research. This paper proposes a generic approach for the cost-effective design of NZEHs, and the research results contribute to the promotion of the NZEH application.