Abstract

Building regulations are important policy instruments for increasing building energy efficiency. However, when it comes to actual energy use, studies have shown that improvements in building energy efficiency are offset by changes in the inhabitants’ comfort practices. Nevertheless, the improvement of energy efficiency continues to be a cornerstone in building regulations, with no consideration of how this simultaneously influences everyday practices. The example of Danish building regulations, which are among the strictest in Europe, is critically reviewed for the implications regulatory design can have for reducing energy consumption. Based on readings of policy documents, consultancy reports and research papers from the last two decades, this paper outlines where things go amiss during a building’s lifetime if a user perspective is excluded. The focus is on three phases: the development of new building technologies, the design and construction of buildings, and occupancy. The question of how building regulations could be redesigned to regulate energy use better is explored, along with what research and strategies are needed within four domains: developing alternative measures to energy per square meter; developing more advanced models simulating occupancy; improving feedback technologies’ usability; and the increased use of commissioning and post-occupancy evaluations.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBuilding Research and Information
Volume46
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)790-803
ISSN0961-3218
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • building regulations
  • buildings
  • Denmark
  • energy consumption
  • energy demand
  • Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
  • governance
  • occupants
  • performance gap
  • policy measures
  • user practices

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'What next for energy-related building regulations? the occupancy phase'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this