ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS – LEGISLATION AND DESIGN

Abstract

The problem of energy stability in the last few decades has become the most important problem of the world economy and social system. Increasing energy consumption and use of fossil fuels have led to increased environmental pollution due to greenhouse gases emissions. All of this has resulted in global warming and climate changes. EU with their system regulatives obliges its members to continually increase energy efficiency, bringing a number of directives to achieve greater energy efficiency and reduce the existing ecological imbalance on Earth. From many sources, it can be concluded that building sector has the energy consumption about 20 - 40% of total energy consumption and CO2 emission about 36 %. Therefore, it should strive to improvement building energy efficiency, which includes a continuous application of a wide range of activities with the ultimate goal of reducing the consumption of all types of energy with better or equal conditions in the building. One possible solution is the concept of zero- net energy building (ZNEB). These solutions result in reduced greenhouse gases emissions and thus contribution to the protection of the environment and reduce global warming, and therefore a better quality of life.