engleski

Cost benefit analysis of energy efficient family houses

Buildings have a significant environmental impact. It is estimated that buildings are responsible for 40 per cent of the total energy consumption in the European Union. In this respect it should be taken into account that the major demand for housing and primary market area for eco-efficient construction is single-family housing. A practical goal of a low energy building is to try to achieve the highest energy efficiency with the lowest possible need for energy within the economic limits of reason. In the last 15-20 years, a number of projects have been carried out aiming at energy-efficient and environmentally friendly housing. Also, technological possibilities to reduce a building's energy consumption have been available for a long time. However, despite the existing vast amount of information, no clear market change has happened. Therefore, special measures are needed to promote commercialization. They should target both, the demand and supply sides. On the demand side there is a need for pilot projects and case studies that should demonstrate that the higher initial construction costs of an energy efficient house can be offset in a short period of time by energy consumption savings. To these end, cost-benefit analyses are needed, that would take into account, beside the direct financial results, also the impact on the environment. This article considers a range of variables that should be included in such analyses. The article is part of a scientific project titled Evaluation of the correlation between investment projects and the environment financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia.

Energy efficiency; family housing; cost-benefit analysis

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