Comparative Analysis Optimal Designs for Passive, Electrified, and Net Zero Energy Residential Buildings

Abstract

In this paper, a life cycle cost-based optimization analysis is carried out to compare the energy and cost performance of diverse sustainable designs of a residential building. These designs include code optimal, net zero energy building, and passive house. It is found that in the case where natural gas is employed, a total energy savings of 77% is optimal. The cost-optimal design for electrification achieves 100.12% of energy savings relative to the baseline design but results in a slightly high life cycle cost than that of the gas-cost optimal design. In addition, the results indicate that due to the additional capital costs for the required energy-efficient measures, the passive house case is less economically optimal than the Net Zero Energy Building design options. Overall, the most cost-optimal designs are found to be for natural gas-heated homes with marginally better energy performance than the applicable current energy efficiency code with 10-kW solar panels.