This document provides a basic step-by-step approach for achieving non-residential (net) zero-energy buildings (ZEBs). It also describes the basic concept of ZEBs and the items for consideration in this approach.
The following are within the scope of this document:
— application to non-residential buildings;
— annual energy consumption of a ZEB (this includes the operating consumption of the building and excludes the energy consumed by the manufacturing of materials and equipment, and the energy consumed during construction);
— renewable energy supply (this can be on-site or off-site, depending on the policy and conditions of the country in which the supply is installed);
— application to any climate zone.
The following are out of the scope of this document:
— recommendations or suggestions for the adoption of any specific technologies and/or equipment and materials that are expected to be continuously innovated (however it does stipulate the technologies for selection);
— specific methods or calculation formulae;
— commissioning methods.