Zero Carbon Principle
A ‘zero carbon’
building is a general term applied to a building with zero net
energy consumption.
This can be measured in different ways
(relating to energy, or carbon emissions) and different views are
taken on the relative importance of energy generation and energy
conservation to achieve energy balance. In general, the carbon
emissions generated from on-site or off-site fossil fuel use are
balanced by the amount of on-site renewable energy production.
Designers should not only consider the carbon emissions generated
by the building in use, but also those generated in the
construction of the building and the embodied energy of the
structure.
The ‘zero carbon’ or ‘zero energy’ approach is
promoted as a potential solution to a range of social and
environmental issues, including reducing carbon emissions, reducing
dependence on energy imports and providing a measure of security
against future energy crises.
Achieving minimal energy use
To achieve minimal energy use, the design and
construction of zero energy buildings departs significantly from
conventional building practice. In addition to using renewable
sources, zero energy buildings are also designed to make use of
heat energy that conventional buildings typically let go to waste
by use of heat recovery ventilation and hot water heat recycling
units. They are normally optimised to use passive solar heat gain
and thermal mass to even out temperature variations throughout the
day.
Advantages of zero carbon buildings
- potential isolation of buildings' occupants
from energy price increases
- reduced cost to improve energy efficiency
during initial design and construction rather than via a
retrofit
- higher resale value
- the value of a zero carbon building
relative to similar conventional building increases as energy costs
increase