scholarly journals Towards a framework to evaluate the ‘total’ performance of buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathon Taylor ◽  
Yanchen Liu ◽  
Borong Lin ◽  
Esfand Burman ◽  
Sung-Min Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Total Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Occupant Satisfaction

Internationally, buildings are a major contributor to carbon emissions. Despite significant advances in the technology and construction of energy-efficient buildings, in many cases a performance gap between designed and actual performance exists. While much research has investigated the drivers of the building energy performance gap – both static and transient– there has been considerably less research into the total performance gap, defined here as performance gaps in building energy use, occupant satisfaction and Indoor Environmental Quality parameters such as thermal comfort and air quality which may impact on occupant health and wellbeing. This paper presents a meta-analysis of building performance data from buildings in the UK and China – selected due to their contrasting development environments – which illustrate the presence of and complexities of evaluating total performance gaps in both countries. The data demonstrate the need for (1) high end-use, spatial granularity and temporal resolution data for both energy and Indoor Environmental Quality, and (2) developing methodologies that allow meaningful comparisons between buildings internationally to facilitate learning from successful building design, construction methodologies and policy environments internationally. Using performance data from a UK building, a potential forward path is illustrated with the objective of developing a framework to evaluate total building performance. Practical application: While much research has examined building energy performance gaps, Indoor Environmental Quality and occupant satisfaction gaps are rarely included despite their relationship to energy. We use a meta-analysis of energy, indoor environmental quality, and occupant satisfaction data from buildings in the UK and China to illustrating the presence of and complexities of evaluating total performance gaps for buildings in the two countries, and the need for high resolution dynamic buildings data and novel methodologies for comparison between buildings across different contexts. Illustrative case studies are used to demonstrate potential future directions for evaluating ‘total’ building performance.

scholarly journals Bridging the gap: The need for a systems thinking approach in understanding and addressing energy and environmental performance in buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Shrubsole ◽  
I. G. Hamilton ◽  
N. Zimmermann ◽  
G. Papachristos ◽  
T. Broyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

Innovations in materials, construction techniques and technologies in building construction and refurbishment aim to reduce carbon emissions and produce low-energy buildings. However, in-use performance consistently misses design specifications, particularly those of operational energy use and indoor environmental quality. This performance gap risks reducing design, technology, sustainability, economic, health and well-being benefits. In this paper, we compare settings of the Chinese and the UK buildings sectors and relate their historical context, design, construction and operation issues impacting energy performance, indoor environmental quality, occupant health and well-being. We identify a series of key, common factors of ‘total’ building performance across these two settings: the application of building regulations, the balance between building cost and performance, skills, construction and operation. The dynamic and complex interactions of these factors are currently poorly understood and lead to building performance gaps. We contend that a systems approach in the development of suitable building assessment methods, technologies and tools could enable the formulation and implementation of more effective policies, regulations and practices. The paper illustrates the application of the approach to the UK and Chinese settings. A full application of a systems approach may help to provide a more dynamic understanding of how factor interactions impact the ‘total’ building performance gaps and help address its multiple causes.

scholarly journals The Discrepancy between As-Built and As-Designed in Energy Efficient Buildings: A Rapid Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6372
Author(s):  
Christine Eon ◽  
Jessica K. Breadsell ◽  
Joshua Byrne ◽  
Gregory M. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings ◽  
Building Life Cycle ◽  
Building Standards

Energy efficient buildings are viewed as one of the solutions to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment. However, studies worldwide indicate that there is a significant gap between building energy targets (as-designed) and the actual measured building energy consumption (as-built). Several underlying causes for the energy performance gap have been identified at all stages of the building life cycle. Focus is generally on the post-occupancy stage of the building life cycle. However, issues relating to the construction and commissioning stages of the building are a major concern, though not usually researched. There is uncertainty on how to address the as-designed versus as-built gap. The objective of this review article is to identify causes for the energy performance gap in buildings in relation to the post-design and pre-occupancy stages and review proposed solutions. The methodology applied in this research is the rapid review, which is a variant of the systematic literature review method. Findings suggest that causes for discrepancies between as-designed and as-built energy performance during the construction and commissioning stages relate to a lack of knowledge and skills, lack of communication between stakeholders and a lack of accountability for building performance post-occupancy. Recommendations to close this gap during this period include better training, improved communication standards, collaboration, energy evaluations based on post-occupancy performance, transparency of building performance, improved testing and verification and reviewed building standards.

scholarly journals Dynamic Energy Performance Gap Analysis of a University Building: Case Studies at UAE University Campus, UAE

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Young Ki Kim ◽  
Lindita Bande ◽  
Kheira Anissa Tabet Aoul ◽  
Hasim Altan
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Facility Management ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Dynamic Simulation Model

As a result of an increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings with a better experience of user comfort, the built environment sector needs to consider the prediction of building energy performance, which during the design phase, is achieved when a building is handed over and used. There is, however, significant evidence that shows that buildings do not perform as anticipated. This discrepancy is commonly described as the ‘energy performance gap’. Building energy audit and post occupancy evaluation (POE) are among the most efficient processes to identify and reduce the energy performance gap and improve indoor environmental quality by observing, monitoring, and the documentation of in-use buildings’ operating performance. In this study, a case study of UAE university buildings’ energy audit, POE, and dynamic simulation were carried out to first, identify factors of the dynamic energy performance gap, and then to identify the utility of the strategy for reducing the gap. Furthermore, the building energy audit data and POE were applied in order to validate and calibrate a dynamic simulation model. This research demonstrated that the case study building’s systems were not operating as designed and almost a quarter of the cooling energy was wasted due to the fault of the building facility management of the mechanical systems. The more research findings were discussed in the paper.

scholarly journals Building performance evaluation: Balancing energy and indoor environmental quality in a UK school building

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishesh Jain ◽  
Esfand Burman ◽  
Craig Robertson ◽  
Samuel Stamp ◽  
Clive Shrubsole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Performance Gap

There is a policy-driven focus, at present, on improving the energy performance of buildings. However, energy-related issues alone do not capture the full impact of buildings on occupants and the wider environment. The performance of a building also includes occupant wellbeing and indoor environmental quality. Specifically, in schools, indoor environmental quality (thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics) is an important aspect. Additionally, the issue of the ‘performance gap’, generally focused on energy, also affects indoor environmental quality parameters and needs to be addressed holistically. This paper reports on a holistic building performance evaluation covering aspects of energy, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics. It assesses the performance issues and inter-relationships between energy and indoor environmental quality in a recently built school campus in London. Based on the evidence collated from this case study and supplementary literature, the endemic issues and constraints within the construction industry are explored, such as inappropriate design calculations and resistance to new low-carbon technologies. Further, lessons for improved performance in the design, operation and maintenance of schools are highlighted such as factoring in the changing building use trends during design and the significance of optimal operations and maintenance of building systems for better energy and indoor environmental quality performance. This study shows that if the building design focus primarily remains on energy, unintended consequence of indoor environmental quality underperformance may occur where there are conflicts between energy and indoor environmental quality objectives. An integrated approach to building performance can help address this issue. Practical application: There are often conflicts between energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) objectives in building design and operation. Most building performance evaluations are primarily focused on one set of these performance criteria. This building performance evaluation was done with an integrated energy and IEQ perspective. The study identifies the causes of underperformance in energy and IEQ in a recently built school in London. Some of the findings from this study provide lessons that are relevant across the industry for the delivery of low-carbon and healthy buildings. These lessons include methods to further strengthen the policy frameworks and design protocols along with overall improvements in the processes followed during design, construction and operation of schools and other non-domestic buildings. The paper can also inform building designers, contractors and facility managers about the ways to reduce the performance gap and achieve energy targets without unintended consequences for indoor environment.

scholarly journals Building Performance Evaluation of a New Hospital Building in the UK: Balancing Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Performance

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Nishesh Jain ◽  
Esfand Burman ◽  
Samuel Stamp ◽  
Clive Shrubsole ◽  
Roderic Bunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality

Hospitals are controlled yet complex ecosystems which provide a therapeutic environment that promotes healing, wellbeing and work efficiency for patients and staff. As these buildings accommodate the sick and vulnerable, occupant wellbeing and good indoor environmental quality (IEQ) that deals with indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics are important objectives. As the specialist nature of hospital function demands highly controlled indoor environments, this makes them energy intensive buildings due to the complex and varying specifications for their functions and operations. This paper reports on a holistic building performance evaluation covering aspects of indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, and energy use. It assesses the performance issues and inter-relationships between IEQ and energy in a new building on a hospital campus in the city of Bristol, United Kingdom. The empirical evidence collated from this case study and the feedback received from the hospital staff help identify the endemic issues and constraints related to hospital buildings, such as the need for robust ventilation strategies in hospitals in urban areas that mitigate the effect of indoor and outdoor air pollution and ensuring the use of planned new low-carbon technologies. Whilst the existing guidelines for building design provide useful instructions for the protection of hospital buildings against ingress of particulate matter from outdoors, more advanced filtration strategies may be required to enact chemical reactions required to control the concentration levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene. Further lessons for improved performance in operation and maintenance of hospitals are highlighted. These include ensuring that the increasingly available metering and monitoring data in new buildings, through building management systems, is used for efficient and optimal building operations for better IEQ and energy management. Overall, the study highlights the need for an integrated and holistic approach to building performance to ensure that healthy environments are provided while energy efficiency targets are met.

scholarly journals A field survey on the indoor environmental quality of the UK primary school classroom

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 492-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufan Zhang ◽  
Peter Barrett ◽  
Fay Davies ◽  
Lucinda Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
School Classroom ◽  
The Uk

Indoor Environmental Quality Survey: A Brief Comparison between Different Post Occupancy Evaluation Methods

2013 ◽  
Vol 864-867 ◽  
pp. 1148-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Galatioto ◽  
Giuliana Leone ◽  
Daniele Milone ◽  
Salvatore Pitruzzella ◽  
Vincenzo Franzitta
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Evaluation Methods ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Objective Method ◽  
Post Occupancy Evaluation ◽  
Subjective Judgments ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Indoor Conditions

Building occupants are important factor in giving information on indoor conditions such as comfort, productivity, building performance and occupants ́ health. Even that, being their appraisal mainly based on subjective judgments, it is difficult to set up a standard and objective method for this purpose. The present work aimed to describe, analyze and compare the most common tests on this topic, in order to highlight critical, failings and strengths.

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