Developing two benchmark models for post-world war II residential buildings

Developing a benchmark model for renovated, nearly zero-energy, terraced dwellings

“…The review included residential benchmarking reports that were developed as part of the EU costoptimality approach for the three regions of Belgium; Brussels [38], Flanders [39], and Wallonia [40]. An exhaustive list of the reviewed studies and their content analysis can be found in this study's technical report [24]. Moreover, vital international studies on benchmarking were reviewed and summarized in the introduction.…”

“…Once signed, it was possible to access their bills via the energy suppliers. The content of survey questionnaires and consent forms is discussed in detail in Section 2.4 and found in a separate technical report [24]. In addition, occupants were invited to fill in an online or paper survey that characterizes their building's energy efficiency.…”

“…In some dwellings, data loggers were installed to record consumption. Access to the forms and surveys can be found in the project report [24]. Finally, we accessed the EnergieID tool for monitoring energy use was consulted [45].…”

“…), technical services and systems, renewables technologies, audits, indoor environmental quality, energy consumption, investments for operation, maintenance, and renovation, subsidies, energy market, and emissions. However, in Belgium, the creation of representative benchmark models based on field measurements is still in its infancy [24]. The Belgian residential building stock is relatively old, similar to most other Western European countries, and has a huge potential in energy saving and GHG emission reduction [25].…”

“…The research methodology combines mixed research methods involving qualitative (e.g., literature review) and quantitative empirical and modeling (e.g., walkthrough audits, building performance simulation, calibration) research. Our study approach and methodology are similar to the work of Murphy et al [30], Touchi et al [31], Kragh, and Wittchen, and Attia et al [24,32] aiming to develop two simulation reference models based on monitoring and analyzing 1320 households. The building performance simulation models are implemented in the EnergyPlus energy simulation program.…”