As the energy demand used for space heating accounts for 78% of EU15 household delivered energy consumption significant reductions in energy demand can be achieved by promoting low energy buildings. Our study investigates three building types: the standard house, the low-energy house and the...

This paper develops previous research on passive house (PH) space heating. A simple and accurate ground heat exchanger model is developed. It is based on a numerical transient bi-dimensional approach that allows to computing the ground temperature at the surface and at various depths. The new...

This paper develops previous research on space heating in passive houses (PH). The results reported are based on a complex theoretical model used to simulate the heating system operation in Pirmasens PH (Rhineland Palatinate, Germany). The economic feasibility of different active space heating...

In order to reduce the energy consumption of the building stock, a major trend is to drastically reduce the space-heating (SH) needs by improving the thermal performance of the envelope. In general, this measure is combined with efficient heating systems to minimize the delivered energy and...

Certifications such as the Passive House aim to reduce the final space heating energy demand of residential buildings. The latter are responsible for a significant share of final energy consumption in Europe of which nearly 70% is associated with space conditioning, notably heating. The...

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is an important European policy tool to improve energy performance of buildings and has been applied in 27 countries with specific adjustments.