It is economically beneficial to build energy efficient. Today there are examples of building projects where reduced energy costs have resulted in a return on the additional investment required already in the first year. In other projects it has taken a few years longer to reach the break-even point. In order to reach this profitability, one has to have a long-term perspective and avoid focusing solely on the initial costs.

The cost for building energy efficient is a bit higher due to the extra costs associated with insulation and better doors and windows. Experience has taught us though that these costs amount to a few percentage points more than the cost of conventional building (Source: Passive House Centre, Sweden). If a house is built as a passive house, one can actually save money for not having to install a radiator system.

Building energy efficient also ensures that you are protected from climbing energy prices and provides increased security and self-sufficiency.

Since most entrepreneurs are not used to the new technologies associated with energy-efficient building, much time and resources are invested in planning, education and quality assurance. This has also contributed to the idea that energy-efficient buildings are expensive. But, as the technology becomes more widespread and gains a foothold, the costs will be reduced even further. In a future where passive houses are standard, we will see that these technologies, with all their necessary products, will be the ones which are cost-effective.

Another reason that energy-efficient buildings are still built on such a small scale, despite the existence of the technology, is that those that make the decisions regarding energy performance are not the same people who are paying the electricity bills. Those that are involved in the building process often have a direct interest in the construction budget, but can't and often won't always evaluate future costs. A lot of responsibility is therefore placed on the building contractor though successful projects are often a result of a significant cooperation among all involved parties.