Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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The Swiss label MINERGIE
®
is a trailblazer in energy efficient buildings [Minergie]. The
association was founded in 1994 and has since then driven the development of
increasing thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in buildings. The
standards “Minergie” and in particular “Minergie-P” are focused on the reduction of heat
demand. This results in well insulated buildings with a “comfort ventilation” system.
“Minergie-A” is the newest Minergie standard for residential buildings and was
implemented in March 2011. The development of Minergie-A goes in line with the world
wide discussion about nearly and net zero energy buildings. For the first time, a label
requires a net zero energy balance. The three central requirements for a Minergie-A
certificate are
•
A Minergie-A building has a heating demand which is at least 10% lower than
what is allowed according to the Swiss building regulations [SIA380/1:2009].
•
Also, an annual net zero energy balance for space heating, domestic hot water,
ventilation and auxiliary electricity is required. The primary energy balance is
based on Swiss national weighting factors [EnDK 2009]. If the energy carrier for
heating is wood and more than 50% of the space heating and domestic hot water
is covered by solar thermal collectors, a credit of 15 kWh
ECH
/(m
2
a) is given.
•
The embodied non-renewable primary energy must not exceed 50
kWh
EPnren
/(m
2
a). If the embodied energy exceeds this requirement, the difference
can be compensated by electricity production with a photovoltaic system,
however.
As in all Minergie standards, a mechanical ventilation system with heat exchanger, and
energy efficient white goods are required. Additionally Minergie-A has a requirement for
energy efficient fixed lighting. Operational energy for plug loads and lighting is not
included in the requirements. Nonetheless, Minergie-A buildings are appropriate
examples to evaluate the step towards Net ZEBs.
The paper starts with a analysis of the first 28 single family and 11 apartment Minergie-A
buildings. In the second part, congruencies and discrepancies between Minergie-A and
Net ZEBs will be looked at. The experience gained through one year of Minergie-A
practice will be summarized at the end.
2. Experiences with Minergie-A
2.1 Heat demand
The heat demand should not exceed 90 % of the allowed heating demand according to
the Swiss building regulations. In actual fact, this is standard practice in many parts of
Switzerland, anyway. The mean value of the 39 buildings is 61 ± 12% of the Swiss limit
or 23 ± 6 kWh/(m
2
a) (fig. 1). This value is very close to the requirement of Minergie-P
(60%) and implies a very well insulated building envelope including triple glazing units.
The strong variation shows that the architects use different energy concepts to fulfil the
Minergie-A requirements.
