Cross-sectoral assessment of the performance gap using calibrated building energy performance simulation

Abstract

The energy performance gap in buildings is a well-known phenomenon. However, its actual definition and extent is dependent on the baseline used for defining the gap. In this paper a calibration-based methodology is used to identify and validate the root causes of the performance gap. Following analysis of the performance of four case studies in the UK, from different building sectors, cross sectoral learnings that are applicable in the wider industry context are uncovered. Through the model calibration process and in the overall performance assessment, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) parameters have been used to improve the robustness of validation of the calibrated models and to highlight the interrelationship of energy and IEQ. The study shows the importance of contractual accountability to minimise performance issues, building a case for having IEQ in energy performance contracts to manage the trade-offs of IEQ against energy performance that leads to unintended health consequences for the occupants.