Towards zero energy buildings: New and retrofitted existing buildings

Zero energy cities are the realistic future and the final goal concerning energy in the building sector. To achieve such cities, the zero energy buildings have to be defined, concerning conditions to be fulfilled, way of proofing them and to find a procedure how existing buildings to be refurbished and be prepared to join the zero energy cities. It is a long period of work, which also depend of new technology development, standards, national legislation, economic situation. The paper analyses existing definitions, confusing among them, approach to zero energy buildings and the problem of existing buildings which are not efficient and need to be refurbished. The study of refurbishment of existing buildings in Belgrade are also discussed and possible energy achievements are estimated.. This issue occupies researchers, specialists in energy, heating, air conditioning, also entire building industry and of course t architects. Each year there are conferences, seminars and even congresses treating this topic at the fairs and exhibition new result of new technology always brings something new. The January ASHRAE conference had the motto “zero energy buildings,” in India is going to be seminar how to build such buildings, in Autumn, Italian Society will have the similar conference and in the program is also refurbishment of existing buildings as the step to get zero energy buildings. The coming REHVA conference in Spring also has the motto Zero energy houses.