Dutch national project

In the Netherlands low energy houses are in the market introduction phase. A problem for the introduction of low energy houses is a generally rather low building quality in the Netherlands in terms of thermal insulation and air-tightness, since the Netherlands building market is a push market and buildings of any quality can be sold.
However, different market players are presently pushing high-quality buildings and dwellings with the low energy consumption. Nevertheless, currently the system technology for these dwellings is missing. Some market player offer integrated concepts with heat pumps as system technology, but the system technology is not optimised for the application field of low energy houses. Thus, market conditions are favourable to link adequate heat pump developments to the emerging market of high-quality low energy houses in the Netherlands. Thus, starting from an evaluation of existing systems adequate system technology for the application in low energy buildings shall be developed as co-operation between Dutch heat pump manufacturers, building companies and research institutes. (Fig. 1).

Fig.1   Low energy house concepts with integrated heat pump offered by Dutch building companies in co-operation with Dutch heat pump manufacturer

Moreover, in the frame of Annex 32 existing calculation procedure and models for the energy consumption shall be validated for low energy houses. Furthermore, field testing of low energy houses are planned in co-operation with the building companies. Further results to be delivered by the Annex 32 work shall be a structurised building process and a design handbook as well as further tools for architects and building companies to facilitate the market introduction of low energy houses in the Netherlands.