ZEB – Zero Emission Buildings
A zero emission building produces enough renewable energy to compensate for the building's greenhouse gas emissions over its life span. The ZEB research centre has defined different levels of zero emission buildings depending on how many phases of a building's lifespan that are counted in. The 5 most important definitions, in rising ambition level, are:
ZEB – O
The building's renewable energy production compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from operation of the building.
ZEB – O ÷ EQ
The building's renewable energy production compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from operation of the building minus the energy use for equipment (plug loads).
ZEB – OM
The building's renewable energy production compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from operation and production of its building materials.
ZEB – COM
The building's renewable energy production compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from construction, operation and production of building materials.
ZEB – COMPLETE
The building's renewable energy production compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from the entire lifespan of the building. Building materials – construction – operation and demolition/recycling.
The illustration shows the different phases of a building's life that are included in the various ZEB definition levels. The renewable energy production (green circle) compensates for all greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life span of the building in the example.