Flawed energy efficiency modeling is the reason many green buildings fail to live up to expectations on energy efficiency, according to a U.K. researcher.
David Coley, a University of Bath specialist, led a team that surveyed 108 architects, engineers, and energy consultants who routinely use energy performance models. They asked participants to look at a typical British semi-detached home recently updated to meet current building codes. Then they asked test subjects to rank which improvements made the most difference to energy performance.
Their answers didn’t match up with reality, suggesting a performance gap between modeling and the real world. There were cases where the modelers produced a savings measure that was more than the energy use of the house.
Energy models showing unreasonable results are evident at the preliminary stage on half of projects going through the LEED certification process, according to a U.S. Green Building Council official. Designers have a tendency to accept outputs without evaluating the reasonability of the results, she said.
Part of the reason for the performance gap is that modelers do not usually go onsite to see how the building operates and compare that to the design. Typically there is no expectation that they’ll even talk to the building manager at year one and ask how energy usage compares with the original model.
Related Stories
School Construction | May 3, 2016
Florida clamps down on school construction spending
Critics fear rules will hamper ability to build schools with desired features.
Resiliency | May 2, 2016
Connecticut to develop new code standards for resiliency
Expected more frequent severe weather events due to climate change prompts review.
Contractors | Apr 29, 2016
OSHA issues advisory to protect workers from Zika virus
Construction industry workers considered at high risk.
Codes and Standards | Apr 28, 2016
New research finds 30 measures to significantly cut energy use
ASHRAE’s prescription cuts across all building types and climates.
Codes and Standards | Apr 27, 2016
Florida gives developers more time to install first responder radio signal systems
Expensive upgrades can be postponed for several years.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2016
San Francisco becomes first big U.S. city to require solar panels on new buildings
Pertains to commercial and residential buildings shorter than 10 stories.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2016
GSA adopts SITES land development and management rating system
Federal agency will use for properties with and without buildings.
Wood | Apr 22, 2016
Revised 2015 Manual for Engineered Wood Construction available
American Wood Council Document offers design information for structural applications.
Codes and Standards | Apr 20, 2016
OSHA updates eye and face protection standards in final rule
Becomes effective April 26.
Codes and Standards | Apr 18, 2016
Efficiency finance pilot project to spur retrofits on existing buildings
EDF and PG&E team up on interest-free loans for qualified projects.