The Energy Performance Gap in Swiss residential buildings: a roadmap for improvement

Stefano Cozza,Martin K Patel,Jonathan Chambers

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2042/1/012143

Abstract

This work deals with the Energy Performance Gap (EPG) in buildings, defined as the difference between actual and theoretical energy consumption. This paper investigates how to close the EPG of existing buildings in Switzerland, by which measures, until when, and at which costs. To address these questions an extensive literature review was conducted combined with qualitative interviews in order to better understand practitioners’ experience and to support the findings from the literature. Several approaches have been found to reduce the EPG. These include both measures to make the building consume as expected and to arrive at a more accurate calculation of the theoretical consumption. We highlight the most relevant solutions for the Swiss context.

Highlights

This work deals with the Energy Performance Gap (EPG) in buildings, defined as the difference between actual and theoretical energy consumption [1]
Solutions to close the EPG Several approaches have been found in literature to reduce the EPG
In order to reduce the EPG, it is recommended to involve an expert to ensure a good quality of planning, execution and commissioning of the building (Assistant à Maîtrise d’Ouvrage Énergie, AMOen; [20])

Summary

Introduction

This work deals with the Energy Performance Gap (EPG) in buildings, defined as the difference between actual and theoretical energy consumption [1]. We conducted qualitative interviews in order to better understand practitioners’ experience, to support and cross-reference the findings from the literature. In this case, the main focus of the expert-based approach was to draw on the knowledge and experience of the participants to subjectively identify the “best” solutions to close the EPG and specify the quantitative and qualitative attributes of each of these. A semi-structured interview form with open-ended questions was used

Results

Findings

Conclusions