Cost-effectiveness of nearly zero energy detached houses / Wirtschaftlichkeit von Einfamilienhäusern in Niedrigstenergiebauweise

While new buildings or appropriately carried out refurbishment can already show considerable potential for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with the available technology and definite measures, a certain “last mile” problem would arise if the requirements were made increasingly stringent toward zero-energy building: the more saved in the overall balance, the more laborious are the measures that have to be introduced.
Using the example of a typical detached house, this article evaluates variants for the building envelope and building supply systems from the viewpoints of energy-saving and economy, and derives the possible consequences for future requirements and the arrangement of the framework conditions.