Possibilities of achieving the nZEB building standard (nearly zero energy building) and the passive building standard for newly designed buildings in Poland

For some time, a trend has been noticeable in the construction sector to reduce energy consumption. It is manifested by the tightening regulations of thermal protection of buildings, an increasing number of low-energy and even passive buildings, new technologies available on the construction market, or the new name of the “nearly zero energy” (NZEB) building standard. It is true that the definition of NZEB buildings appeared already ten years ago in the Energy Performance Directive No. 2010/31 / EU, but despite the fact that to some extent this type of buildings should already be the standard of construction, very few people know what is meant by NZEB and how it differs from the passive standard. The nZEB standard for newly designed buildings applies from January 1, 2021, to all European countries. Parameters for nZEB buildings are determined individually by each European country. In Poland, the requirements specifying the standard for nearly zero-energy buildings are included in the Technical and Construction Conditions. These requirements are very difficult to meet. The requirements apply to the thermal insulation of the external casing of buildings. This can be achieved by using appropriate materials and construction technologies, as well as by minimizing thermal bridges. The second requirement for nZEB buildings in Polish regulations concerns the Primary Energy indicator. This requirement can only be achieved through the use of appropriate energy sources, a very large extent Renewable Energy Sources. The article presents the possibilities of achieving the standard of newly designed buildings with “almost zero energy consumption” thanks to the use of appropriate materials, technologies, installations as well as heat and cold sources. The article also describes the standard of passive buildings, as well as the standard of passive buildings, which has been compared with the Polish standard of buildings “nearly zero energy building” (NZEB).