Nearly zero energy renovation concept and

performance assessment of the concept

Authors:

Mikko Virtanen, Ilpo Kouhia, Jyri Nieminen

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Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2
2 Nearly zero energy building ................................................................................................. 3
3 Nearly zero energy renovation, concept and technologies ................................................... 6
3.1 Building envelope ........................................................................................................ 7
3.1.1 Exterior wall .................................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 Roof ................................................................................................................. 8
3.1.3 Windows .......................................................................................................... 9
3.1.4 Floor ............................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Ventilation .................................................................................................................. 11
3.3 Heating systems ......................................................................................................... 11
3.3.1 Heat distribution ............................................................................................ 12
3.3.2 Ground source heat pump .............................................................................. 12
3.3.3 Solar thermal energy ...................................................................................... 13
3.4 Photovoltaics .............................................................................................................. 14
4 Assessment of the renovation concept................................................................................ 15
4.1 Type building from Finland ....................................................................................... 15
4.2 Type building from Sweden ....................................................................................... 20
4.3 Scalability of the concept ........................................................................................... 24
4.3.1 Renovation case 1 .......................................................................................... 24
4.3.2 Renovation case 2 .......................................................................................... 26
4.3.3 Renovation case 3 .......................................................................................... 27
4.3.4 Renovation case 4 .......................................................................................... 28
5 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 30
References ................................................................................................................................ 32

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Introduction
Nearly Zero Energy buildings are the European Unions target for new housing
from the beginning of 2021. Nearly zero energy building is a building where
renewable energy produced integrated in the building or nearby the building
covers a significant share of the buildings energy demand. An exact, numerical
definition of nearly zero is not given, allowing space for national interpretations.
Another topic which the EPBD presents is a definition of major renovation.
Member states should draw up regulation to require the improvement of buildings
energy efficiency in renovations if the scale of the renovation exceeds a certain
limit. However, major renovation is not exactly defined either and therefore also
allowing space for national interpretation.
Building construction markets are divided into new buildings and renovations
with close to equal shares of the total volume. A private citizen is the major client
in renovation. The total volume of renovations was roughly 10 billion in 2008
in Finland, and it is expected to rise up to 20 billion by 2020. The renovation of
detached, semidetached and row houses suffers from the lack of concepts for
energy-efficient renovations.
This report presents a nearly zero energy renovation concept for Finnish and
Swedish building stocks. For both countries, the target energy efficiency level
after the renovation is set. As neither of the countries has yet defined the exact
numerical requirements for a nearly zero energy building, assumptions of the
future definitions are made.
The energy efficiency requirements in order to reach the nearly zero energy level
for each building part and technical system are defined. Finally a type building
from both countries is used to assess the effect of the nearly zero energy
renovation. The scalability of the renovation concept is studied by dividing the
whole nearly zero energy renovation concept into four smaller renovation cases.

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Nearly zero energy building

Nearly Zero Energy buildings are the European Unions target for new housing
from the beginning of 2021. The recast of the directive concerning the energy
efficiency of building (EPBD) was published in 2010.[1] Nearly zero energy
building is a building where renewable energy produced integrated in the building
or nearby the building covers a significant share of the buildings energy demand.
Member States are expected to draw up plans for increasing the number of nearly
zero-energy buildings. An exact, numerical definition of nearly zero is not given,
allowing space for national interpretations. Cost optimum depends strongly on the
national conditions (eg. climate, building culture, available design concepts)
The EPBD-directive also steers the member states towards considering regulation
for increasing energy efficiency in major renovations. The directive defines a
major renovation as such that the total cost of the renovation related to the
building envelope or the technical systems is higher than 25 % of the value of the
building or more than 25 % of the surface of the building envelope is renovated.
However, each member state has their own national regulation which can differ
from the 25 % limits of the directive. There is also a cost-efficiency requirement
in the energy efficiency improvements while renovating buildings.
In Finland, the energy declaration of buildings is undergoing a reform. A draft
version of the new energy declaration has been published. The energy class of
buildings will be determined by the E-value of the building. E-value takes into
account the energy consumption of the building, renewable energy production
within or within the proximity of the building as well as the type of energy
delivered outside the building boundaries which is used to meet the energy
demand of the building. Therefore, the E-value reflects the buildings primary
energy consumption. The factors which are used to multiply each different source
of energy are energy conversion factors defined in the Finnish building code part
D3. The system boundary of the delivered energy is presented in Figure 2.1

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Figure 2.1. System boundary of delivered energy [2]

According to the draft version of the new Finnish energy declaration for
buildings, published for comments by the Ministry of Environment, the
requirements for energy class A depend on the net floor area of the building. The
E-value requirements according to the draft for different sizes of buildings are:

under 120 m2 84 kWh/m2,a

120-150 m2 (230-1,13*A) kWh/m2,a
150-600 m2 60 kWh/m2,a

It is to be noted that there is a possible error in the equation which is used to

calculate the E-value requirement for buildings with net floor area of 120-150 m2.
As there is no national definition for a nearly zero energy building yet, the target
in renZero project was set to be the A class level of the renewing building energy
certificate as illustrated in Figure 2.2. For comparison, the E-value requirement
for new buildings in the current Finnish building belongs to the C class of the
renewing energy certificate.

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Figure 2.2. renZero nearly zero energy renovation E-value target

In Sweden, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications has proposed that
current building energy efficiency requirements could be the nearly-zero energy
requirements. [3] The requirements are presented in Table 2.1. The specific
consumption figures comprise of the heating, domestic hot water and ventilation
energy consumption.
Table 2.1. Proposed nearly zero energy requirements in Sweden [4]
Electrically heated
Not electrically heated
2
buildings [kWh/m ]
buildings [kWh/m2]
Climate zone I
95
130
Climate zone II
75
110
Climate zone III
55
90

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Nearly zero energy renovation, concept and technologies

This chapter sets the boundaries for the nearly zero energy renovation concept
and answers the question of what is required to reach the nearly zero energy
targets.

Figure 3.1. Nearly zero energy renovation

The nearly zero energy renovation concept is presented in table 3.1. The
technical details for different building parts and technical systems are explained
in this chapter. The adaptability of the renovation solutions to the different target
building groups in Finland and Sweden is also studied in this chapter.
Table 3.1. Nearly zero energy renovation concept
Nearly zero energy building
2
Exterior wall U-value [W/m K]
0.08-0.14
2
Roof U-value [W/m K]
< 0.10
2
Windows, doors U-value [W/m K]
0.60-0.80
Ventilation heat recovery efficiency [%] 70-80
Air-tightness, n50 [1/h]
0.6
Heat generation systems
-Ground source heat pump
-Solar thermal collectors
Reduction of electrical energy
-Energy efficient lighting
-Energy classified appliances (A++)
-Energy classified building services
equipment
On-site electricity production
-Photovoltaics
As can be seen from Table 3.1, the nearly zero energy renovation is a throughout
renovation where practically all parts of the building envelope are renovated. No
single measure of renovation alone is sufficient. Therefore, the planning of the
renovation project is crucial to a successful outcome of all the renovation
activities.

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In addition to the ground source heat pump and solar thermal system,
photovoltaic panels can also be considered to increase the amount of renewable
energy produced in the building. However, the capacity of the photovoltaic
system should always be considered case by case in order to achieve the
maximum cost-benefit ratio for the system.

3.1

Building envelope
The typical structure types in the target building stock as well as the energy
efficiency improvement methods to reach the nearly zero energy targets are
presented in this chapter for each building part.
In addition to the renovation measures presented in the following sub-chapters,
attention should be paid to minimize the thermal bridges within the structures as
well as increasing the air-tightness of the building. Thermal bridges can be
minimized by structural means. Air-tightness is also affected by the structures but
also by the quality of work. Installations through the structures and sealing of
windows, door and other components. In general, to reach the nearly zero energy
building target within renovation, the target airtightness of the building envelope
should be set at maximum n50 = 0.6.

3.1.1

Exterior wall
According to a study made by Frnti [5], the main wall structure type in Finland
from 1950s to 1990s has been wooden framed with wooden cladding or brick
cladding. The wall structures are presented in Figure 3.2. The structure types in
Sweden are very similar to Finnish buildings, however the share of wooden
cladding is higher than in Finland (63 % of total building stock), the share of brick
cladding is 23 % of whole building stock. Typical U-values of exterior walls are
presented in table 3.2.

Figure 3.2. Typical exterior wall constructions. (Left: 1.Wood boarding, 2.

diagonal boarding, 3. bituminous paper, 4,5 wooden frame and thermal insulation,
6. bituminous paper, 7. inside cladding) (Right: 1.brick faade, 2. air gap, 3. wind
barrier, 4&5.wooden frame and thermal insulation, 6. vapour barrier, inside
cladding) [5]

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In the renZero nearly zero energy concept, the exterior walls are insulated
externally with prefabricated renovation elements. The renovation elements
consist of a wooden board with thickness of 25 mm on which 300 mm of Paroc
FAL 1 mineral wool is glued upon. The elements have joints, which enable
increased air-tightness of the wall structure after installing the elements. With
total thickness of 325 mm, the old wall cladding needs to be demolished in most
occasions.
Table 3.2. U-values of exterior walls from target building stock
Exterior walls
Finland
U-value
1940-1960
1960s
19702
[W/m K]
0.7
0.45
0.28

Sweden
1961-1976
0.4

The renovation element enables several claddings. It can be, for example,
rendered or a wooden faade can be installed on top of it. Example structures and
renovation borders with the renovation element are shown in figure 3.3.

Figure 3.3. Example of an old structure and the renovated structure

3.1.2

Roof
According to the study of Frnti (2012), the most common roof construction type
in Finland until 1960s was a sharp ridge roof. From 1960s until 1990s, the
gently sloping roof and flat roof became more popular, the slope ratio generally
being 1:2 1:4. Typical Finnish detached building from 1960s is presented in
Figure 3.4 (on the left). During 1970-1990 75 % of all roof constructed were
gently sloped or flat. A typical flat roof construction is presented in Figure 3.4 (on
the right). Especially in the flat roof construction the overhangs are very limited,

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therefore adding external insulation to exterior walls generally requires overhang

extensions. In Sweden, a sloped roof construction type is the most common.
Typical U-values of roofs are presented in table 3.3.

Figure 3.4. Typical Finnish roof constructions from 1960s (left) and 1970s
(right) [6]
Table 3.3. U-values of roofs from target building stock
Roof
Finland
U-value
1940-1960
1960s
19702
[W/m K]
0.4
0.35
0.3

Sweden
1961-1976
0.25

In order to reach the U-value target of under 0.10 W/m2K, the insulation layer
thickness of the roof should be at least 450 mm. The additional insulation can be
done by using blowing wool or by using wool slabs. It is important to leave a
ventilation gap with access to the outdoor air above the wool.
The roof type affects the possibilities to add insulation to the roof. Roofs with
cold attic space are generally easy to add insulation as the space available does not
set as strict limits as flat roofs, for example. In the typical buildings from 19601970s with flat or slightly sloped roofs, there might not be enough space in the
roof, which might a roof type conversion or lifting the roof upwards might be
required.

3.1.3

Windows
Typical window type in the target building stock has been a double or triple
glazed window. The total window area within detached buildings and row houses
is approximately 10-15 % of the floor area as well as the exterior wall area.
However, the windows can be responsible of a heat loss as large as the exterior
walls. As can be seen from table 3.4, the U-values of the windows are relatively
much higher than the U-values of the exterior walls presented in table 3.2, for
example. By replacing the old windows with more energy efficient windows can
decrease the heat losses of the windows to more than 50 % from the original.

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Table 3.4. U-values of windows from target building stock

Windows
Finland
U-value
1940-1960
1960s
19702
[W/m K]
3.7
3.1
2.1

Sweden
1961-1976
2.7

Additional insulation of exterior walls increases the thickness of the walls, which
generally means the windows need to be moved outwards in the structure. As the
energy performance of original windows is rather low and highly energy efficient
windows with U-value of 0.6-0.8 are required in order to reach the nearly zero
energy target, it is generally feasible to install new windows while renovating the
exterior walls. Window installation has a substantial effect on the air-tightness of
the building envelope. While installing new windows the target should be to make
the installation as air-tight as possible.
3.1.4

Floor
The floor constructions in Finland and Sweden are very similar. Ventilated floor
stucture was a common solution until 1960s. From 1960s, a ground slab became
more popular. The insulation level of the building floor varies greatly. Until 1970s, it was also popular to build a noninsulated cellar beneath the building in
Sweden.
While other building components can be quite freely renovated, the floor poses a
certain problem. In a ground-slab type of floors, rather little can be done to
increase the insulation underneath the ground slab. Especially, if there is no need
to demolish the slab.
Table 3.5. U-values of windows from target building stock
Floor
Finland
U-value
1940-1960
1960s
19702
[W/m K]
0.45
0.4
0.22

Sweden
1961-1976
0.45

In renovations where there is no obvious reason, such as moisture damage, to tear

open the ground slab it can be feasible to insulate the foundation as the heat losses
through the floor can be decreased by insulating the foundation and also around
the foundation as presented in figure 3.5.

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Figure 3.5. Insulation of foundation and around the foundation

3.2

Ventilation
In Finland 90 % of new buildings were naturally ventilated until 1980s. Since
then, the mechanical ventilalation started to get more common. In 1980s, 65 % of
new buildings were equipped with mechanical ventilation and in some cases with
heat recovery as well. In Sweden, the developemt of ventilation systems is similar
to that of Finland. However, the mechanical ventilation systems in Sweden were
more often equipped with heat recovery.
In Finland, the first building regulation concerning the efficiency of the heat
recovery became effective in 2003, requiring annual efficiency of 30 %. Present
heat recovery units can have efficiencies greater than 70 %.
The effect of the ventilation unit with heat recovery can in many of the old
buildings with natural ventilation be more than increased energy efficiency. If a
naturally ventilated building has been made too air-tight, the ventilation can
actually be insufficient.

3.3

Heating systems
From 1950 to 1990 two heating systems have been dominant, direct electric
heating and oil heating based on water circulation systems. Oil boiler was most
common heating system until 1970s, after which electric heating became more
and more popular in Finnish building stock. By 1980s almost 70% of new
buildings were heated with electric radiators. Direct electric heating with

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resistance heaters was the most common way to heat the buildings in Sweden as
well. [5], [7]
The definition of nearly zero energy building in EPBD recast states that the
energy consumption of the building should be met to a significant extent by
renewable energy produced in the building or close to it. In the case of detached
houses, semi-detached houses and row houses, the renewable energy production
generally means producing energy with solar energy technologies or from
geothermal heat by using heat pumps.
3.3.1

Heat distribution
Conversion from direct electric heating to ground source heat pump requires
installation of hydronic heating system. The efficiency of the ground source heat
pump is partly dependent on the temperature levels of the heating system. Lowest
temperature levels can be achieved by installing a hydronic floor heating system
or by using low temperature radiators.

3.3.2

Ground source heat pump

Ground source heat pump (GSHP) utilizes the geothermal heat of the soil. The
heat can be collected by a horizontal collection circuit or through vertical
boreholes. The efficiency of the heat pump system depends on the required
temperature levels and is higher with low-temperature heating systems such as
floor heating.
A study conducted by the Tampere university of technology shows, that the
annual coefficient of performance (COP) values of a heat pump are 2.5-3.0 which
equals to electricity savings of approximately 60 % when compared to an electric
heating system.[8] It is also possible to utilize the collection pipes along with
mechanical ventilation to cool the indoor air in the summer.
There are various energy source types for heat pumps. The main ones can be
categorized as horizontal loop, spiral loop, vertical loop, submerged loop.
Horizontal loops (closed loops) are when the heat exchanger is placed
horizontally with the ground. A spiral loop is a stack of multiple horizontal loops
and requires less ground area to provide for the same energy capacity of a
horizontal loop. A vertical loop is used in boreholes which requires less surface
are but has the disadvantage of high drilling costs. Submerged loops are often
used when a moderately sized or pond is available. The main advantage of
submerged loops is less investment costs but might restrict the use of the lake.

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3.3.3

Solar thermal energy

The principle of STH is to convert radiation of the sun into heat by so called solar
collectors. Solar radiation, both diffusive and direct, is turned into heat at the
receptive surface (absorber) of the collector after which it is absorbed by a fluid
(usually water or air) and transferred for either storing or direct use. The
efficiency of solar collectors is usually dependent on the temperature difference
between the fluid entering the collector and the surrounding air: the smaller the
difference, the better the efficiency.
A STH system can vary in size and complexity depending on its purpose of use.
There are different types of collectors available today depending on the purpose of
heating. The most common types, unglazed, flat plate air and water, and
evacuated tube collectors are presented in Figure 3.6.
Generally solar thermal systems can be assumed to be used to produce
approximately 50 % of the annual domestic hot water energy demand without the
need to store the thermal energy for seasonal storages.

Figure 3.6. Illustrations of some of the most common collector types for solar
thermal heat. [9]

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3.4

Photovoltaics
The key components of a PV-system are photovoltaic modules, an inverter to
transform the direct current (DC) to alternate current (AC), batteries for standalone systems, and support structures that enables the modules to be oriented
toward the sun. The inverter is a necessary component for grid-connected systems
since the electricity generated by the panels has to be converted to AC when
distributed to power grids.
Similar to the solar thermal panels, PV-modules can be mounted on roof-tops,
integrated to facades or roofs or mounted to the ground (usually large-scaled
production). The performance grading of PV-modules is based on Standard
Testing Condition, which presumes a solar radiation level of 1kW/m2 while the
modules are operating in twenty-five degrees Celsius. The output is thereafter
given in peak Watt Wp nominal power.
The costs of a PV system installed and in use depend on the selected system,
system capacity and installation type (direct grid connection, stand-alone). A high
performance grid connected system of about 10 kWp costs roughly 2000 2500
/kWp at present price level in Finland. Even lower prices are possible. The
system produces electricity 850 900 kWh/kWp at latitudes of Southern Finland
(60o 65o). The price for produced electricity is 0,11 0,15 /kWh provided that
the service life for the panes is at least 20 years.

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Assessment of the renovation concept

The nearly zero energy renovation concept was assessed by simulating two type
buildings, one from both Finland and Sweden. The simulations were done with
IDA ICE 4.2. The method in both simulation cases was the same. The first
simulation round for each type building was done on the original, un-renovated
building. Second simulation was done after applying the nearly zero energy
renovation concept, presented in chapter 3, on the building.
The scalability of the nearly zero energy renovation concept was studied as well.
A series of simulations were conducted by altering only some of the building
parts, such as building envelope, while leaving the other building parts to the
original state.

4.1

Type building from Finland

To assess the energy performance of the nearly zero energy renovation concept, a
type building was selected for energy simulation. The type building is assumed to
be a typical building from 1970s, with a total floor area of 135 m2. The building
was assumed to have no renovations done to the envelope or technical systems.
The simulations of the Finnish type building were done with Helsinki climate
data. The initial values for the simulations are presented in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1. Initial values for simulation of Finnish type building
Envelope U-values
[W/m2K]
Exterior walls
0.28
Roof
0.3
Base floor
0.22
Windows
2.1
Air-tightness of building envelope n50
6.0 1/h
Ventilation system
Natural
Air exchange rate
0.36 1/h
Heat recovery efficiency
Heating system
Electric radiators
The simulation results of the original type building are presented in Table 4.2 and
Figure 4.1. Energy consumption of the building is, according to the simulations:
Heating:
199 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water: 38 kWh/m2
Electricity:
23 kWh/m2
Cooling:
2 kWh/m2

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Figure 4.1 Simulation results of original Finnish type building

Table 4.2. Simulation results of original Finnish type building
Cooling

Heating

Domestic
hot water

Electricity

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

4720

436

263

4128

394

237

3751

436

263

1832

422

254

16

613

436

262

42

235

422

254

108

59

436

262

85

212

436

262

976

422

254

10

2385

436

263

11

3643

422

254

12

4385

436

263

Total

254

26940

5138

3092

Month

Another simulation was made with the same building. The building structures and
technical systems were now assumed to have gone through the nearly zero energy
renovation concept, with simulation values presented in Table 4.3.

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Table 4.3. Simulation values for nearly zero energy renovation concept
Envelope U-values
[W/m2K]
Exterior walls
0.09
Roof
0.085
Base floor
0.20
Windows
0.59
Air-tightness of building envelope n50
0.6 1/h
Ventilation system
Mechanical
Air exchange rate
0.55 1/h
Heat recovery efficiency
70 %
Heating system
Ground source heat pump
The simulation results of the nearly zero energy renovated type building are
presented in Table 4.4 and Figure 4.2. Energy consumption of the building is
according to the simulations:
Heating:
45 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water: 38 kWh/m2
Electricity:
27 kWh/m2

Figure 4.2. Simulation results of Finnish type building after applying nearly zero
energy renovation concept

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Table 4.4. Simulation results of renovated Finnish type building

Domestic
Electricity
hot water

Cooling

Heating

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

1349

438

306

1132

395

276

797

438

306

182

424

296

35

438

306

67

424

297

143

438

307

110

438

307

22

424

296

10

415

438

306

11

947

424

296

12

1212

438

306

Total

362

6057

5153

3604

Month

1
2

For the original building, the E-value is calculated according to the assumption
that the building is electrically heated. The factor for the energy consumption of
heating, cooling, domestic hot water and the electric appliances is therefore 1.7.
The E-value of the original building is
(199 + 2 + 38 + 23) kWh/m2 1.7 = 445 kWh/m2
The heating system of the renovated building is assumed to be converted to
ground source heat pump and the heat distribution system to a hydronic heating
system with floor heating or low temperature radiators. The COP of the heat pump
is assumed to be 3.0. The E-value of the renovated building is then
((45+38)/3.0 + 27) 1.7 = 93 kWh/m2
The target E-value for the 135 m2 building is, however, 78 kWh/m2. A solar
thermal system can be installed to further improve the E-value of the building. It
is assumed that 50 % of the domestic hot water energy demand is produced by
solar thermal energy. The E-value is then
((58+38/2)/3.0 + 27) 1.7 = 82 kWh/m2
E-value of 82 kWh/m2 is still too high compared to the target, therefore an
additional photovoltaic system needs to be installed to the type building. With
1 kWp system the annual electricity production would be approximately
900 kWh. This would reduce the specific electricity consumption of the type
building to

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(3604 900) kWh / 135 m2 = 20 kWh/m2

The E-value is then
((58+38/2)/3.0 + 20) 1.7 = 78 kWh/m2
Which is small enough to meet the nearly zero energy target. The results suggest,
that it is possible to achieve the assumed nearly zero energy target in renovations.
Photovoltaics were used in this example calculation to decrease the E-value of the
building beneath the target level. However, Finland has no feed-in tariff for small
producers of electricity. In practise this means that the photovoltaic system should
always be designed case by case to achieve an optimal consumption-production
ratio.

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4.2

Type building from Sweden

To assess the energy performance of the nearly zero energy renovation concept in
Sweden, a type building was selected for energy simulation. The type building is
assumed to be a typical building from 1961-1976s, with a total floor area of 120
m2. The building was assumed to have no renovations done to the envelope or
technical systems. The initial values for the simulations are presented in Table
4.5.
Stockholm weather data was used for the simulation. Stockholm belongs to the
climate zone III of the Swedish building regulation, making the nearly zero
energy target for the type building used in the simulation 55 kWh/m2.
As the Swedish building code does not set a value for the energy consumption of
domestic hot water to be used in the energy consumption calculations, Finnish
equivalent was used. The value of 35 kWh/m2 (38 kWh/m2 with network losses)
denotes an average consumption of domestic hot water of approximately 1500
kWh/person.
Table 4.5. Initial values for simulation of Swedish type building
Envelope U-values
[W/m2K]
Exterior walls
0.4
Roof
0.25
Base floor
0.45
Windows
2.7
Air-tightness of building envelope n50
6.0 1/h
Ventilation system
Natural
Air exchange rate
0.36 1/h
Heat recovery efficiency
Heating system
Electric radiators
The simulation results of the original type building are presented in Table 4.2 and
Figure 4.3. Energy consumption of the building is according to the simulations:
Heating:
210 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water: 38 kWh/m2

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Figure 4.3 Simulation results of original Swedish type building

Table 4.6. Simulation results of original Swedish type building
Cooling

Heating

Domestic
hot water

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

4170

388

4022

350

2976

388

2425

375

796

388

66

219

375

30

305

388

36

265

388

1125

375

10

2049

388

11

2912

375

12

3841

388

Total

144

25106

4567

Month

Another simulation was made with the same building. The building structures and
technical systems were now assumed to have gone through the nearly zero energy
renovation concept, with simulation values presented in Table 4.3.

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Table 4.7. Simulation values for nearly zero energy renovation concept
Envelope U-values
[W/m2K]
Exterior walls
0.09
Roof
0.085
Base floor
0.30
Windows
0.59
Air-tightness of building envelope n50
0.6 1/h
Ventilation system
Mechanical
Air exchange rate
0.55 1/h
Heat recovery efficiency
70 %
Heating system
Ground source heat pump
The simulation results of the renovated type building are presented in Table 4.8
and Figure 4.4. Energy consumption of the building is according to the
simulations:
Heating:
77 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water:
38 kWh/m2
Ventilation electricity:
4 kWh/m2

Figure 4.4. Simulation results of Swedish type building after applying nearly zero
energy renovation concept

23 (32)

Table 4.8. Simulation results of renovated Swedish type building

Domestic
Electricity
hot water

Cooling

Heating

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

1666

388

38

1594

350

35

1067

388

38

829

375

37

11

164

388

39

77

20

375

38

34

41

388

39

36

40

388

39

323

375

37

10

812

388

39

11

1162

375

37

12

1548

388

38

Total

162

9266

4567

455

Month

The specific energy consumption of the building before the renovation is

(210 + 38) kWh/m2 = 248 kWh/m2
The value comprises of the electricity demand of heating and domestic hot water
and as the building is electrically heated, it exceeds the requirement of 55 kWh/m2
for new buildings as well as the target for the nearly zero energy renovation.
The heat distribution system of the nearly zero energy renovated building is
assumed to be converted into hydronic system, where the heat is provided by a
ground source heat pump. A COP value of 3.0 was assumed for the heat pump.
The specific energy consumption of the Swedish type building would then be
(77 + 38)/3 kWh/m2 + 4 kWh/m2 = 43 kWh/m2
The value is below the 55 kWh/m2 limit presented in table 2.1 for the suggested
Swedish nearly zero energy target. In this case study, solar thermal panels or
photovoltaic panels were not needed to achieve the nearly zero energy target.
However, they could be used to achieve even lower specific energy consumption
for the building.

24 (32)

4.3

Scalability of the concept

The Finnish type building presented in chapter 4.1 is used to estimate the
scalability of the renovation concept. The scalability in the terms of this concept
means the possibilities and effects of the renovation measures taken in steps. As
the nearly zero energy renovation is a throughout renovation of nearly all building
parts and technical systems, it might be economically or otherwise impossible for
the building owner to do all the measures at once.
The study of the scalability was done by dividing the full nearly zero energy
building renovation concept into four smaller renovation cases. It was assumed
that in each renovation case, the performance of renovated building parts or
technical systems would be at the level defined in the nearly zero energy concept.
The renovation cases studied in this chapter are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Roof, exterior wall and windows renovation

Roof, exterior wall, windows and ventilation renovation
Ground source heat pump
Ground source heat pump, solar thermal collectors and ventilation renovation

The building energy performance figures for each renovation case are presented in
table 4.9.
Table 4.9. Renovation cases
Renovation case
U-values [W/m2K]
-Exterior walls
-Roof
-Base floor
-Windows
Air-tightness of building
envelope n50 [1/h]
Ventilation system
Air exchange rate [1/h]
Heat recovery efficiency
Heating system

0.09
0.085
0.20
0.59
0.6

0.09
0.085
0.20
0.59
0.6

0.28
0.3
0.22
2.1
6.0

0.28
0.3
0.22
2.1
6.0

Natural
Mechanical Natural
0.36
0.55
0.36
70 %
Electric
Electric
GSHP*
radiators
radiators
*GSHP = Ground source heat pump, ** STP = Solar thermal panel

4.3.1

Mechanical
0.55
70 %
GSHP+
STP**

Renovation case 1
The simulation results of the renovation case 1 are presented in Table 4.10 and
Figure 4.5. Energy consumption of the building is according to the simulations:

25 (32)

65 kWh/m2
38 kWh/m2
23 kWh/m2
3 kWh/m2

Heating:
Domestic hot water:
Electricity:
Cooling:

Figure 4.5. Simulation results of renovation case 1

Table 4.10. Simulation results of renovation case 1
Domestic
Electricity
hot water

Cooling

Heating

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

1646

436

263

1372

394

237

1119

436

263

10

491

422

254

50

237

436

262

83

128

422

254

147

59

436

262

103

93

436

262

233

422

254

10

650

436

263

11

1207

422

254

12

1518

436

263

Total

399

8753

5138

3092

Month

The building in renovation case 1 is electrically heated which means that both
heating energy and domestic hot water is produced with electricity. Also the
cooling is assumed to be produced electrically. Adding the total electricity
consumption of the building to 129 kWh/m2.

26 (32)

Renovation case 2
The simulation results of the renovation case 2 are presented in Table 4.11 and
Figure 4.6. Energy consumption of the building is according to the simulations:
Heating:
45 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water:
38 kWh/m2
Electricity:
27 kWh/m2
Cooling:
3 kWh/m2
8000
7000
6000

kWh/month

4.3.2

5000

Electricity

4000

Domestic hot water

Heating

3000

Cooling
2000
1000
0
1

10

11

12

Figure 4.6. Simulation results of renovation case 2

Table 4.11. Simulation results of renovation case 2
Domestic
Electricity
hot water

Cooling

Heating

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

1349

436

306

1132

394

276

797

436

306

182

422

296

35

436

306

67

422

297

143

436

307

110

436

307

22

422

296

10

415

436

306

11

947

422

296

12

1212

436

306

Total

362

6057

5138

3604

Month

The building in renovation case 2 is electrically heated which means that both
heating energy and domestic hot water is produced with electricity. Also the

27 (32)

cooling is assumed to be produced electrically. Adding the total electricity

consumption of the building to 113 kWh/m2.
4.3.3

Renovation case 3
The simulation results of the renovation case 3 are presented in Table 4.12 and
Figure 4.7. Energy consumption of the building is according to the simulations:
Heating:
250 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water:
38 kWh/m2
Electricity:
23 kWh/m2
Cooling:
3 kWh/m2

Figure 4.7. Simulation results of renovation case 3

Table 4.12. Simulation results of renovation case 3
Month

Cooling

Heating

Domestic Electricity
hot water

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

5971

438

262

5247

395

237

4799

438

262

10

2345

424

254

50

754

438

262

83

235

424

254

147

438

262

103

234

438

262

1235

424

254

10

3009

438

262

11

4598

424

254

12

5534

438

262

Total

399

33964

5153

3088

28 (32)

In renovation case 3 the building is heated with a ground source heat pump. COP
of the heat pump is assumed to be 3.0, which means that
(250 + 38) kWh/m2 / 3.0 = 96 kWh/m2
of electricity is needed to operate the heat pump to both heat the building and to
provide the domestic hot water. In total 122 kWh/m2 of electricity is consumed.
4.3.4

Renovation case 4
The simulation results of the renovation case 4 are presented in Table 4.13 and
Figure 4.8. Energy consumption of the building is according to the simulations:
Heating:
212 kWh/m2
Domestic hot water:
38 kWh/m2
Electricity:
23 kWh/m2
Cooling:
3 kWh/m2

Figure 4.8. Simulation results of renovation case 4

29 (32)

Table 4.13. Simulation results of renovation case 4

Cooling

Heating

Domestic
hot water

Electricity

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

(kWh)

5164

438

306

4526

395

276

4007

438

306

1857

424

296

35

530

438

306

67

162

424

297

143

438

307

110

174

438

307

977

424

296

10

2541

438

306

11

3958

424

296

12

4771

438

306

Total

362

28667

5153

3604

Month

In renovation case 4 the building is heated with a ground source heat pump as
well. In addition, 50 % of domestic hot water energy is assumed to be produced
by solar thermal collectors. COP of the heat pump is assumed to be 3.0, which
means that
(212 + 19) kWh/m2 / 3.0 = 77 kWh/m2
of electricity is needed to operate the heat pump to both heat the building and to
provide the domestic hot water. In total 100 kWh/m2 of electricity is consumed.
The E-values of the renovation cases scaled down from the nearly zero energy
renovation concept are presented in table 4.14. As can be seen from the values,
none of the renovation cases reach the E-value target of 78 kWh/m2 for the
Finnish type building. However, in each case the E-value is significantly reduced
from the original 445 kWh/m2 calculated in chapter 4.1.
Table 4.14. E-values of renovation cases
Renovation case
Total electricity consumption [kWh/m2]
E-value [kWh/m2]

1
129
220

2
113
193

3
122
208

4
100
170

The E-value was calculated for the Finnish type building and the specific energy
consumption for the Swedish type building. Although the calculation of E-value
and specific energy consumption is done at rough level, the results suggest that it
would be possible to reach the nearly zero energy building target in both
countries. However, especially in the future Finnish pilot, achieving the target will

30 (32)

be a result of successful planning of both the buildings energy performance and

the production of renewable energy.
The concept can be scaled down, however, to reach the target most likely each
building part and technical system must be renovated. The time scale of the
complete nearly zero energy renovation might be longer than a year and most of
the renovation actions must be considered already in the initial planning phase.
The planning phase is the most critical phase of a nearly zero energy renovation,
as insufficient planning might lead to sub-optimized solutions in the longer run.

Conclusions
Present lack of clear definition for nearly zero energy building in both Finland and
Sweden forced to make assumptions on the future nearly zero energy
requirements. In Finland, the nearly zero energy level was assumed to be the A
class of the renewing energy certification for buildings. In Sweden, it has been
debated that the nearly zero energy requirements would be the same requirements
set for present new buildings. For Swedish buildings, these requirements were
used as the nearly zero energy building limits in this report as well.
This report presented a nearly zero energy renovation concept for Finnish and
Swedish residential buildings. The concept is applicable in both countries.
Reaching the nearly zero energy target in renovation requires significant decrease
of energy consumption as well as increased on-site production of renewable
energy. Nearly zero energy renovation is a throughout renovation, which concerns
practically all building parts and technical systems. This report also gives a brief
overview on the renovation technologies and technical systems, which are needed
to fulfil the rather ambitious target of nearly zero energy building.
In addition to the definition of the nearly zero energy renovation concept, a key
topic of this report was the performance assessment of it. In chapter 4 the
renovation concept was assessed with type buildings from both Finland and
Sweden. The assessment was done using dynamic simulation software. According
to the results of the simulations, renovation of existing buildings to the assumed
nearly zero energy requirement levels is possible in both countries. However,
especially the current assumption of the Finnish nearly zero energy building Evalue requirement is quite strict. As demonstrated in chapter 4, reaching the Evalue target requires extensive efforts on both decreasing the energy consumption
and increasing the on-site renewable energy production.
The nearly zero energy renovation concept will be applied in practice in two pilot
buildings. The buildings will be located in Finland and Sweden. Following the
construction phase taking place in 2013, the pilot buildings will be monitored for
a year. The monitoring phase will provide valuable data in terms of the
performance of the concept.

31 (32)

The scalability of the concept was studied by dividing the nearly zero energy
renovation concept to smaller parts, such as increasing the insulation of the
building envelope. The results show a significant decrease in the E-value,
however the nearly zero energy target can hardly be reached without taking all the
elements of the renovation concept into account. The scalability of the renovation
concept will be further studied in the project when the cost-benefit analysis on
different renovation measures will be made.

32 (32)

References
[1] Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May
2010 on the energy performance of buildings.
[2] Finnish building code, part D3. Ministry of Environment. 2012

[3] Promemoria, N2012/7477/E. Nringsdepartementet, Regeringskansliet. 2012

[4] Boverkets byggregler, BBR 19. 2012.

[5] Frnti, M. 1900-luvun pientalorakennuskannan energiatehokkuuden parantaminen

ja siihen vaikuttavat tekijt. 2012.
[6] Rakennusperint. Pientalojen rakenteet 1940-1970. Referred: 29.11.2012.
Available at:
http://www.rakennusperinto.fi/Hoito/Korjaus_artikkelit/fi_FI/Pientalojen_rakentee
t_1940-1970/
[7] Vanhoutteghem et al., Sustainable renovation concepts for single-family houses,
2009. Available at: http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/successfamilies/
[8] Holopainen et al., Suomalaisten rakennusten energiakorjausmenetelmt ja
sstpotentiaalit, 2007. VTT tiedotteita research notes 2377.
[9] Godfrey, B. Renewable Energy: Power for a sustainable future. 2nd ed. Oxford,
United Kingdom: University Press, 2004. 452 pp. ISBN 0-19-926178-4.