A life-cycle cost analysis for delimiting the new french energy conservation requirements in the non residential building sector

The current French energy conservation regulation for non-residential buildings was elaborated at the end of the 80 s. Since then, many parameters have changed (energy prices, emergence of new techniques, growing public concern for the environment, ...). It is the reason why the public authorities have decided to reinforce the energy conservation regulation. The expected result is a global reduction in energy consumption of about 25% as regards the current situation. The Centre Scientifique et Technique du Btiment (CSTB) has been commissioned to delimit the new energy requirements to be applied to the non residential building sector. A present life-cycle cost analysis including investment, running and maintenance costs has been carried out. More than 15 000 simulations were performed for that purpose combining HVAC systems, building envelope techniques and economic parameters. This paper will briefly describe the methodology and present the main results.