This study presents three cost-optimal calculations. The overall aim is to provide a deeper analysis and to provide additional guidance on how to properly implement the cost-optimality methodology in Member States. Without proper guidance and lessons from exemplary case studies using realistic input data (reflecting the likely future development), there is a risk that the cost-optimal methodology may be implemented at suboptimal levels. This could lead to a misalignment between the defined cost-optimal levels and the long-term goals, leaving a significant energy saving potential unexploited. Therefore, this study provides more evidence on the implementation of the cost-optimal methodology and highlights the implications of choosing different values for key factors (e.g. discount rates, simulation variants/packages, costs, energy prices) at national levels. The study demonstrates how existing national nZEB definitions can be tested for cost-optimality and explores additional implications of the EU decarbonisation and resource efficiency goals. Thus, the study will ultimately contribute to prompt the transition towards the implementation of nZEB by 2020