The nZEB standard has become a mandatory reference in the design of new buildings, promising low energy consumption and high energy performance. In practice, however, an increasing number of nZEB buildings end up with operating costs higher than anticipated, sometimes even comparable to those of conventional buildings.

The paradox arises from over-technologization and from the lack of correlation between the installed systems and the real capacity to operate them. Complex mechanical ventilation, advanced automation, heat pumps, and photovoltaic systems function efficiently only if they are properly used, maintained, and understood by occupants or building managers.

In many cases, a lack of training leads to the deactivation of certain functions, improper settings, or continuous operation in suboptimal modes. Maintenance costs, spare parts, and specialized interventions end up canceling out part of the expected energy savings.

The gap between calculated efficiency and real performance thus becomes significant. nZEB is no longer just a design issue, but one of long-term operation. Without proper management, performance remains theoretical.

For the construction sector, the lesson is clear: energy efficiency does not end at handover. Without integrating real use and operating costs into the design phase, nZEB buildings risk becoming examples of formal compliance rather than functional efficiency.

(Photo: Freepik)