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Identification of the Building Envelope Performance of a Residential Building: A Case Study

Author

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  • Evi Lambie

    (Building Physics Section, Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40—Box 2447, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
    Cities in Transition, EnergyVille, Thor Park 8310, BE-3600 Genk, Belgium)

  • Dirk Saelens

    (Building Physics Section, Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40—Box 2447, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
    Cities in Transition, EnergyVille, Thor Park 8310, BE-3600 Genk, Belgium)

Abstract

Since households are one of the most energy-intensive sectors in Europe, retrofit of dwellings is promoted to increase energy efficiency. Recent research, however, shows that the energy performance after retrofit does not always meet the target values, which can be caused by amongst other things, a deviating building envelope performance. This paper compares the theoretical and measured building envelope performance for a real-life case study in post-retrofit state, in order to illustrate the limitations of calculation methods and characterization models. First, the performance is evaluated on building scale by verifying the correspondence between the default theoretical heat loss coefficient (HLC) and the measured HLC, which was determined by following the guidelines formulated within IEA EBC Annex 58 and Annex 71. In order to illustrate the limitations of the standard calculation method in real-life conditions, the theoretical variability of the HLC is evaluated, generated by variating infiltration heat losses and heat exchange with neighboring dwellings. Second, the performance is investigated on a component scale by assessing the theoretical and measured thermal resistances, identified from heat flux tests. Additionally, nonhomogeneous assembled components and air leaks are simulated to verify probable causes for the locally varying measured values and to illustrate the limitations of calculations and characterization methods. The results illustrate the limitations of the calculation methods by the assessment of the strong variability of the theoretical HLC, depending on assumptions regarding infiltration and heat exchange with neighboring dwellings. In addition, component simulations indicated that deficiencies on a component scale could be caused by a nonhomogeneous assembly and air cavity flows of the component. Moreover, a detailed assessment of an unreliable thermal resistance illustrates the limitations of the used characterization method. Finally, a contrast was found between the quite good performance on building scale (15% deviation between the theoretical and measured HLC) and poor performance on a component scale (only one out of nine monitored components met their theoretical target values), which illustrates the complexity of the building envelope performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Evi Lambie & Dirk Saelens, 2020. "Identification of the Building Envelope Performance of a Residential Building: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-28, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:10:p:2469-:d:358056
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Naveed Ahmad & Christian Ghiaus & Thimothée Thiery, 2020. "Influence of Initial and Boundary Conditions on the Accuracy of the QUB Method to Determine the Overall Heat Loss Coefficient of a Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-24, January.
    2. Qadeer Ali & Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem & Fahim Ullah & Samad M. E. Sepasgozar, 2020. "The Performance Gap in Energy-Efficient Office Buildings: How the Occupants Can Help?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, March.
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    5. Szodrai, Ferenc & Lakatos, Ákos & Kalmár, Ferenc, 2016. "Analysis of the change of the specific heat loss coefficient of buildings resulted by the variation of the geometry and the moisture load," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 820-829.
    6. Marieline Senave & Staf Roels & Stijn Verbeke & Evi Lambie & Dirk Saelens, 2019. "Sensitivity of Characterizing the Heat Loss Coefficient through On-Board Monitoring: A Case Study Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-29, August.
    7. Majcen, D. & Itard, L.C.M. & Visscher, H., 2013. "Theoretical vs. actual energy consumption of labelled dwellings in the Netherlands: Discrepancies and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 125-136.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sofia Pastori & Riccardo Mereu & Enrico Sergio Mazzucchelli & Stefano Passoni & Giovanni Dotelli, 2021. "Energy Performance Evaluation of a Ventilated Façade System through CFD Modeling and Comparison with International Standards," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-26, January.

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