For the construction industry, sustainable solutions are no longer just an option, but a necessity dictated by European regulations and even market demand. The event “From nZEB to ZEB – Performance without Compromise” emphasised that while rising energy prices can be a hindrance, they are becoming a driver for the adoption of technologies and materials that ensure low energy consumption and increased comfort. Participants emphasised the importance of education among beneficiaries; the skills of builders are also essential, as well as strict quality control at all stages – from design to construction.

Petru Biziru, managing director of Romco System, recounted the experience of developing nZEB homes and said that initially it was “harder to convince people of the importance of an nZEB than to actually build it”. He believes that when the home is seen as an active member of the household that produces energy and reduces waste, the higher cost is justified. He gave the example of a development built to nZEB standard, where all residents have photovoltaic panels and a healthy indoor environment, emphasising that higher energy prices make buyers more interested in such performance.

Building materials are key to achieving an nZEB standard, especially when designed correctly from the outset, emphasised Irina Odor, Celco’s commercial director. “A construction is not expensive if you design it nZEB from scratch; it’s more complicated to modify everything later,” she explained. She noted that the BCA produced by her company has a 20% lower carbon footprint than the European average, which meets sustainability requirements. With energy becoming more expensive, Odor believes the market will increasingly embrace efficient solutions and that manufacturers who adapt to environmental requirements will be resilient in the long term.

Horia Petran, Coordinator of the Romanian Building Knowledge Hub – URBAN-INCERC & President of the Pro-nZEB Cluster, spoke about the need for responsibility in the design and execution of an efficient building and gave the example of improvisation in jazz, which becomes valuable only when the musician has a lot of schooling behind him: “Improvisation becomes something good only when you have the necessary training, the same in construction”. He believes that the introduction of checklists for both designers and builders leads to consistent execution, with compromises reduced to those that help to finalise the project without affecting energy performance.

Florin Manda, associate partner at One Concept Distribution, pointed out that in Romania there are design standards, but “without effective control mechanisms, quality remains just an aspiration”. He recounted how, in practice, he sees many situations where joinery is fitted directly onto the concrete slab, with insufficient foam, a compromise that massively affects energy efficiency. Mr Manda also emphasised that high energy prices should not be seen as just a problem: firms that deliver high-performance solutions will have an advantage in a market where buyers are becoming more vigilant.

ZEB (Zero Energy Building) could become the “new normal” in the coming years, as long as legislation and market demand harmonise, believes Ionuț Carvaci, CEO of High Tech Clima. “We should drop the paragraph that always leaves us with an excuse – if it’s not economically feasible, we don’t do it. The market needs to move towards maximum efficiency,” he said, emphasising that higher energy bills will force developers to deliver better insulated projects with superior technical systems.

Ionuț Cabuz, Commercial Manager at GF Building Flow Solutions, pointed out that the demand for Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certificates is growing as investors and beneficiaries begin to understand the differences in carbon footprint between even apparently similar products. “We need to see what energy sources are used in factories, where the raw materials come from and how the materials are transported,” he explained. Mr Cabuz also believes that higher prices mean more than immediate costs. Certified materials and equipment have a major impact on the future, as green solutions remain viable over time.

You can’t do an nZEB without a specialised workforce”, recalled Cătălin Lungu, President of the Romanian Order of Energy Auditors (OAER) and Vice-President of AIIR (Association of Romanian Installation Engineers), to stress that no matter how well the project is carried out, the final result depends on the competence of those who execute the work.

On energy prices, Mr Lungu does not necessarily expect a sustained increase for all resources, saying: “I wouldn’t be very sure that the price of certain energies will go up.” He believes that factors such as international politics and market mechanisms can sometimes stabilise prices, but stresses that investing in efficiency and alternative sources remains beneficial in the long term.

All participants agreed that rising energy costs are stimulating innovation and increasing demand for nZEB and especially ZEB-compliant housing. Despite pressures on manufacturers and developers, this is leading to more efficient designs and more sustainable materials. The authorities are called upon to create instruments of support and control so that the economy can benefit from green buildings which, in the long term, offer not only efficiency and cost savings but also a healthier environment for future generations.