Certification of “Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings” as a Part of Sustainability

Abstract

This article draws attention to the need of certifying Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB). It concerns buildings with a very low energy demand that will have to meet certain standards after 2021. Certification process should include on-site tests confirming quality of buildings and comfort of their use. This research presents methods of building certification that are popular around the world. The authors’ contribution to science lies in the presentation of a building certification method developed in Poland. It is the first certificate of energy-efficient buildings (MCBE Certificate) in Poland, developed together by the scientists at the Cracow University of Technology, experts from the National Energy Conservation Agency and experts of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The assumption of the certificate was derived from the case study based on the methodology for calculating energy performance of buildings. The requirements of the MCBE Certificate were determined based on energy analyses carried out for various types of buildings. The certificate is based on a multi-criteria approach to the assessment of energy-efficient buildings.