TY - JOUR
T1 - What next for energy-related building regulations?
T2 - the occupancy phase
AU - Gram-Hanssen, Kirsten
AU - Georg, Susse
AU - Christiansen, Ellen
AU - Heiselberg, Per
PY - 2018/10/3
Y1 - 2018/10/3
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - building regulations
KW - buildings
KW - Denmark
KW - energy consumption
KW - energy demand
KW - Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
KW - governance
KW - occupants
KW - performance gap
KW - policy measures
KW - user practices
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041922863&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09613218.2018.1426810
DO - 10.1080/09613218.2018.1426810
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85041922863
SN - 0961-3218
VL - 46
SP - 790
EP - 803
JO - Building Research and Information
JF - Building Research and Information
IS - 7
ER -