🏆 Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB): What Are ZEBnew and ZEBreno?
- Mihai
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The introduction of the updated BER methodology brings a new concept to building energy performance in Ireland: Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB).
This change comes from the requirements of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which aims to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings across Europe. (gov.ie)
Under the new BER approach, buildings are increasingly assessed not only on their energy consumption but also on:
Fossil fuel use
Renewable energy generation
Operational carbon emissions
Overall building performance
The two main ZEB categories are:
ZEBnew – Zero Emission Building for new construction
ZEBreno – Zero Emission Building standard for renovated buildings
🏠 What Is a ZEBnew Building?
A ZEBnew building represents the highest level of energy performance for new construction.
In the new BER scale, this corresponds to the A0 rating. (gov.ie)
An A0-rated building is not simply an energy-efficient A-rated building. It represents a building designed to have:
✅ Very low energy demand✅ No on-site fossil fuel emissions✅ Very low operational greenhouse gas emissions✅ Highly efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems✅ Significant renewable energy contribution
Typical characteristics of a ZEBnew building include:
High levels of insulation
Excellent airtightness
Triple glazing
Thermal bridge reduction
Heat pump heating systems
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) where appropriate
Solar PV generation
Smart energy controls
Energy storage capability where technically and economically feasible
The objective is that new buildings are designed from the start to minimise energy use and avoid dependence on fossil fuels.
🔨 What Is ZEBreno?
While achieving A0 performance is realistic for new buildings, it can be more challenging for existing buildings due to limitations such as:
Existing construction methods
Structural constraints
Limited space for insulation upgrades
Existing heating systems
Cost considerations
For this reason, the EPBD introduces the concept of ZEB Renovate (ZEBreno).
ZEBreno provides a pathway for existing buildings undergoing major renovation to achieve a very high energy performance standard without requiring the same performance level as a new-build A0 property. (gov.ie)
A renovated building achieving ZEBreno performance would typically fall within the upper BER range (approximately A–B performance) depending on the building type and specific energy thresholds applied.
Typical improvements required may include:
Deep insulation upgrades
Improved airtightness
Replacement of inefficient heating systems
Installation of heat pumps
Solar PV systems
Improved lighting efficiency
Building control upgrades
Renewable energy integration
🆚 ZEBnew vs ZEBreno – What Is the Difference?
ZEBnew | ZEBreno | |
Building type | New buildings | Existing buildings undergoing renovation |
BER equivalent | A0 rating | Typically A–B range |
Main objective | Zero emission design from the start | Transform existing buildings to high efficiency |
Heating systems | Renewable systems expected | Existing systems upgraded or replaced |
Fossil fuels | Not permitted | Reduced/eliminated where feasible |
Renewable energy | Integrated into design | Added as part of retrofit strategy |
☀️ How Do Solar PV and Heat Pumps Help Achieve ZEB Performance?
Renewable technologies become increasingly important when targeting ZEB standards.
For example:
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps reduce reliance on fossil fuels by using electricity efficiently to provide heating and hot water.
They are particularly important because a building using renewable electricity can significantly reduce operational carbon emissions.
Solar PV
Solar PV helps offset electricity demand by generating renewable energy on-site.
However, under the updated BER methodology, the benefit of PV depends on:
Building electricity demand
Heating system type
PV size
Battery storage
Amount of electricity consumed on-site
A correctly designed PV system combined with an efficient electrical heating system can provide greater benefits than an oversized PV installation on a low-energy-use building.
🏢 What Does This Mean for Building Owners?
For new developments, achieving an A0/ZEBnew standard will require an integrated design approach from the early stages of the project.
For existing buildings, achieving ZEBreno will usually require a detailed retrofit strategy considering:
Existing BER rating
Building fabric upgrades
Heating and cooling systems
Renewable energy potential
Cost-effectiveness of improvements
The future of building energy performance will move away from individual upgrades and towards a whole-building approach.
A successful energy strategy will combine:
✔ Reduced energy demand✔ Efficient mechanical systems✔ Renewable energy generation✔ Smart controls✔ Low-carbon operation
👷 Need a BER Certificate or BER Assessment?
At MTS DNC Energy Consultants, we provide professional:
BER Assessments
BER Certificates in Dublin
BER Assessments in Dublin
Domestic and Commercial BER Assessments
Heat Pump Technical Assessments
Part L Compliance
Dynamic Thermal Modelling
Energy Consultancy
Our experienced BER Assessors help homeowners, landlords, buyers and developers understand how changes to the BER methodology affect their property and identify practical ways to improve energy performance.
👉 Contact us today for expert advice or to schedule your BER assessment.
For further inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact us.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in these posts is for informational purposes only and should not be considered design advice, specifications, or a calculation template. We assume no responsibility or liability for the use of the information presented. For professional advice or design services, please contact us via our contact form.
Comments