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Building Energy Efficiency: History
Please note this is an old version of this entry, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Contributor: Eng Editorial Office

Building energy efficiency refers to the ability of a building and its energy-using systems to provide required services, such as thermal comfort, lighting, ventilation, and domestic hot water, with a reduced amount of energy input [1]. It should be distinguished from energy consumption, which refers to the actual amount of energy used by a building during a specified period. Energy efficiency therefore concerns the relationship between energy inputs and the services or performance delivered, whereas energy consumption describes the quantity of energy consumed [1][2]. Building energy efficiency is influenced by the thermal performance of the building envelope, the efficiency of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, lighting and appliances, building operation, and occupant-related factors. Assessment may be based on calculated or measured energy performance and can consider delivered energy, primary energy, or other energy-related metrics [1][2]. ISO 52000-1 provides a framework for assessing the overall energy performance of new and existing buildings using measurement or calculation. In practice, building energy efficiency is evaluated using indicators such as energy use intensity (EUI), expressed as energy consumption per unit of floor area and time; primary energy use per unit of reference floor area; and energy performance ratings or benchmark scores [2][3]. EUI can be calculated from measured energy consumption and used to compare a building with similar buildings, historical performance, or a defined target. Building energy standards and performance requirements may specify minimum envelope insulation levels, minimum system efficiencies, maximum allowable energy use, or other performance targets [4]. Energy performance certificates and benchmarking schemes similarly provide standardized approaches for reporting or comparing building performance.

  • building energy efficiency
  • energy performance
  • thermal envelope
  • energy certification

References

  1. ISO 52000-1:2017. Energy Performance of Buildings—Overarching EPB Assessment—Part 1: General Framework and Procedures; International Organization for Standardization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2017.
  2. Y. Li; S. Kubicki; A. Guerriero; Y. Rezgui; Review of building energy performance certification schemes towards future improvement. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2019, 113, 109244, 10.1016/j.rser.2019.109244.
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager: Energy Use Intensity (EUI). https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/benchmark/understand-metrics/what-eui?utm_source.com.
  4. ASHRAE/IES. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; ASHRAE: Atlanta, GA, USA, 2019.
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