Performance Evaluation Based Claims Process for Insuring Energy Performance of New Dwellings

Abstract

This paper describes the development and testing of a building performance evaluation based claims process that underpins a new insurance-backed energy performance warranty for guaranteeing the in-use performance of new homes in the UK. The insurance backed warranty is based on the principle that if there are deficiencies in the building fabric or energy systems (physical factors) of an insured dwelling which causes excessive energy consumption, the insurance will make good those deficiencies. However, excess energy consumption resulting from occupancy factors is not insured. To be able to accurately identify the cause (physical or occupancy factors) of excessive energy use, a socio-technical building performance evaluation based claims process is developed and tested for four low-energy new-build flats located in a development in Southeast England. Data on energy use, environment (temperature, relative humidity, CO2 levels) and occupant behaviour (opening-closing of windows, appliances’ use) were collected using high-frequency energy and environmental data loggers, questionnaires, interviews and activity logging diaries over a full heating season (October 2017–April 2018). The influence of physical (form, location) and occupant factors (occupancy patterns, heating schedules, hot water requirement, use of electrical appliances) on in-use energy consumption was investigated for three end uses: space heating, water heating and electrical appliances. Results suggest that in the four low-energy flats, occupant behaviour does not significantly affect actual space heating demand (which is mainly determined by physical factors), as much as hot water and use of electrical appliances, indicating that in low-energy gas-heated dwellings, excessive gas use is more likely to be eligible for an insurance claim than high electricity use. In future research the claims process could be less invasive using smart meter data to identify the influence of physical or occupant factors.