Retrofit Planning for the Performance Gap: Results of a Workshop on Addressing Energy, Health and Comfort Needs in a Protected Building

Abstract

Abstract:Research on the performance gap suggests that the actual energy consumption in buildings can be twice as much as expected from modelled estimates. Energy models rely on predictive indicators and assumptions that are usually done at the design stage, without acknowledging behavioral patterns of actual users, amongst other uncertain elements. Moreover, in the context of the performance gap, it is evident that energy efficiency is overemphasized while other key issues such as health and comfort of occupants associated with indoor air quality, noise levels etc., have been less stressed and discussed. This paper discusses physical measurements of indoor temperature in a case study building at the University of Cambridge and reports findings of a workshop with researchers, building professionals and graduate students working on environmental performance in the built environment. The workshop addressed research issues related to energy, comfort and health (couched in terms of thermal performance), used as a means to understand the complexities of and trade-off between different aspects of sustainable buildings. Retrofit measures were suggested while considering how to balance energy and comfort needs, with some these measures being modelled to determine their efficacy. This research concludes with a reflection on how to implement these retrofit measures in a manner that addresses the performance gap.

Transdisciplinarity in energy retrofit. A Conceptual Framework

“…The focus of this learning is to develop a better understanding of collaboration in a complex built environment. (Gianfrate et al 2017), (van Krugten et al 2016), (Broto 2015), (Cosmi et al 2015), (Dall'O' et al 2013), Head 2010 (Fonseca et al 2016), (Glackin and Dionisio 2016), (Dixon et al 2014), (Eames et al 2013), (Mills 2003 (Cao et al 2017), (Heidarinejad et al 2017), (R. Wu et al 2017), (Alwan 2016), (García Kerdan et al 2016), (Marasco and Kontokosta 2016), (Munarim and Ghisi 2016), (Bomberg, Gibson, and Zhang 2015), (De Lieto Vollaro et al 2015), (Dineen, Rogan, and Ó Gallachóir 2015), (Hsu 2015), (Fawcett and Killip 2014), (Wang et al 2014) (Mohareb et al 2017), (Roberti et al 2017), (Parker et al 2017), (Gupta and Gregg 2016), (Tianzhen Hong et al 2016), (Terés-Zubiaga et al 2016), (Yan et al 2015), (Rhodes et al 2015), (Tianzhen Hong et al 2014), …”

“…Process (Mohareb et al, 2017), (Roberti et al, Occupant Occupant 2017), (Parker et al, 2017), (Gupta and Gregg, 2016), (Hong et al, 2016), (Terés-Zubiaga et al, 2016), (Yan et al, 2015), (Rhodes et al, 2015), (Tianzhen Hong et al, 2014), (Chuah et al, 2013), (Neto and Fiorelli, 2008), (Yalcintas, 2008), (Bazjanac, 2004) Data Behaviour Behaviour Modelling (Fedoruk et al, 2015), (Beccali et al, 2013), (Peuportier et al, 2013), (Ardente et al, 2011), (Dong et al, 2005)…”

“…(Hsu, 2015) interactions between technical and non-technical parameters for further analysis, policy development and targeting Data (Fawcett and Killip, 2014) an alternative model of low carbon retrofit whereby improvements happen step by step over several years. (Wang et al, 2014) the building integrated energy efficiency taking into account the economic and energy efficiency of building envelope and cooling and heating resource Occupant behaviour modelling (Mohareb et al, 2017) retrofit measures taking into account how to balance energy and comfort needs. (Roberti et al, 2017) a methodology that permits finding and comparing optimal retrofits for historic buildings in a trans-disciplinary and quantitative way.…”

“…One example of failure is the performance gap, which is defined as the difference between predicted energy performance of buildings and actual measured energy use once buildings are operational (De Wilde et al, 2014). This gap can be 2.5 times the predicted energy use (Menezes et al, 2012) and emanates from the uncertainties within the System (De Wilde, 2014; Menezes et al, 2012;Mohareb et al, 2017). It erodes the credibility of the design and engineering sectors of the building industry (Menezes et al, 2012), and leads to general public scepticism of new High Performance Building concepts (Mohareb et al, 2017).…”

The Influence of Energy Renovation on the Change of Indoor Temperature and Energy Use

“…In general, the rebound effect is not taken in to account in energy efficiency calculations, which may lead to an overestimation of the future energy savings [12]. The occupants' behavior has also been identified as one of the reasons for the energy performance gap in other studies [14,15]. The systematic review of the literature on occupant and building energy performance by Zhang et al [16] estimated that the occupant behavior-related energy-saving potential could be in the range of 10-25% for residential buildings.…”