Cost-effective design solutions for low-rise residential Net ZEBs in Mediterranean climate

Today the concept of net zero-energy building (Net ZEB) is well-known and widespread in the scientific community. Nevertheless, how to effectively transfer this concept into the building market is not as much widespread, especially in Mediterranean regions. In this context, this paper aims at identifying a series of cost-effective technical solutions, supported also by construction details, which can be usefully adopted to define a standard for low-rise residential Net ZEBs in mild Mediterranean countries. The study refers to terraced housing, as it represents one of the most diffuse residential type currently built in southern Europe. The results show that with the suggested solutions – such as increased insulation, use of low-emissive glazing and window shadings, free-cooling through natural ventilation, solar thermal collectors for Domestic Hot Water – common terraced housing can significantly decrease the energy needs and reach the Net ZEB target by using only a limited amount of PV panels. Due to the diffusion of this building type, the technical solution here discussed can be extended to a significant portion of the real estate and effectively considered for the design of future residential Net ZEBs in Mediterranean countries.