Search eceee proceedings

Development of cost optimal building performance requirements for housing in a Mediterranean climate

Panel: 5B. Cutting the energy use of buildings: Policy and programmes

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Alan Abela, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
Mike Hoxley, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
Paddy McGrath, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
Steve Goodhew, Plymouth University, United Kingdom

Abstract

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive introduces the concept of cost optimality and places considerable importance on the relationship between cost and energy performance. All member states are obliged to set minimum energy performance requirements for buildings with a view to achieving cost-optimal levels. These are to be calculated using a comparative methodology framework on the level of the individual Member States.

Although considerable research has been carried out on the development of energy performance regulations in Northern and Central Europe, this has not been the case in Southern Europe. There are fewer exemplars of low energy buildings, building energy regulations have only been in place over the last decade, and the implementation of these regulations is still in its early stages. At the same time, it is acknowledged that the technical requirements for the reduction of energy consumption in housing in the Mediterranean region are generally more complex due to the existence of both cooling and heating loads.

This paper outlines the development of the cost-optimised minimum energy performance requirements for housing in Malta. These are established by calculating the life cycle costs for the building and building elements on the basis of different packages of measures applied to a reference building. The procedure includes the definition of appropriate reference buildings for the Maltese building stock, as well as the selection of packages to be applied to reference buildings for both new-build and refurbishment scenarios.

A comparative analysis of the findings in relation to current construction practice and legislation in Malta and other Mediterranean states identifies the main areas for improvement in the energy performance of housing in the Mediterranean climate.

Downloads

Download this paper as pdf: 5B-064-13_Abela.pdf

Download this presentation as pdf: 5B-064-13_Abela_pre.pdf