Project

Closing the energy performance gap

The energy performance gap is the difference between the energy demand that is predicted for a building at design stage and the building’s actual energy demand. The aim of our project is to facilitate the application of the latest research findings so as to help close the energy performance gap.

Considerable sums are invested in efforts to ascertain the performance gap in buildings and to identify the possible causes for it. While researchers have compiled a trove of valuable data in recent years, uncertainty stemming from the use of different parameters and terminologies has slowed progress when it comes to actually applying the findings.

The aim of the present project is to facilitate the application of the latest research findings. To do this, EBP condensed the latest findings down into a set of main propositions and validated these propositions with the help of experts in the research community. EBP then presented the validated set of propositions to stakeholders in the construction and building-operation sectors to work out a common understanding of the results. The composite information was then used to assess the need for implementing corrective measures to close the performance gap.

Defining specific measures to minimize performance gaps

The second part of the project centered on two workshops organized for relevant stakeholders in the construction and building-operation sectors. The first workshop gave us an opportunity to present our compilation of the latest research results and to solicit feedback relating to the performance gap and its causes. The second workshop gave us an opportunity to join stakeholders in an effort to assess the need for specific action and to develop practical proposals. The product of our joint efforts is a "White Paper on Closing the Energy Performance Gap in Switzerland" published in three languages.

Applying the latest findings

One overarching result of our project is a common understanding of the latest research findings that will enable stakeholders to strategically introduce the findings to their respective fields and to thereby make progress towards closing the energy performance gap.

The main target group includes decision makers in public and private enterprises in the areas of planning, design, construction and building operation. Those in this target group are in a position to introduce the results to their organizations, implement measures and act as multipliers on the market.

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