The energy performance gap – a Swedish perspective
Bandak, Asala LU ; Sreenivasan, Athira ; Hamid, Akram Abdul LU
and Wilde, Pieter de
LU
(2025)
In Journal of Building Performance Simulation
- Abstract
Literature reviewsfrom various countries indicate a difference between calculated and measuredbuilding energy use, often known as the ‘energy performance gap’. This articleexplores the existence and magnitude of the energy performance gap in Swedenand identifies possible reasons behind it. A general evaluation of Swedishbuildings showed a median discrepancy between 10–20%. To explore causes,semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 building energy experts, whoconfirmed the presence of the EPG and identified contributing factors. Theseinclude: (i) insufficient system optimization post-occupancy, (ii) inaccuraciesin input data, particularly hot water circulation losses, (iii) unexpectedoccupant behaviour, (iv) inconsistent energy... (More)
Literature reviewsfrom various countries indicate a difference between calculated and measuredbuilding energy use, often known as the ‘energy performance gap’. This articleexplores the existence and magnitude of the energy performance gap in Swedenand identifies possible reasons behind it. A general evaluation of Swedishbuildings showed a median discrepancy between 10–20%. To explore causes,semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 building energy experts, whoconfirmed the presence of the EPG and identified contributing factors. Theseinclude: (i) insufficient system optimization post-occupancy, (ii) inaccuraciesin input data, particularly hot water circulation losses, (iii) unexpectedoccupant behaviour, (iv) inconsistent energy metering (v) poor communication.Energy simulation was conducted on a case-study to analyze the differentfactors’ impact. The paper highlights potential strategies to mitigate the EPG,including improved commissioning and enhanced feedback during project deliveryand operation. A holistic approach with effective communication is necessaryfor better building performance.
(Less)
- author
- Bandak, Asala
LU
; Sreenivasan, Athira
; Hamid, Akram Abdul
LU
and Wilde, Pieter de
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- energy calculations, energy declaration, Performance gap, Sweden
- in
- Journal of Building Performance Simulation
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105018838412
- ISSN
- 1940-1493
- DOI
- 10.1080/19401493.2025.2567993
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- id
- d4e6e797-46bc-4688-8949-9ea462a45723
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-22 14:10:08
- date last changed
- 2026-01-22 14:10:27
@article{d4e6e797-46bc-4688-8949-9ea462a45723,
abstract = {{<p>Literature reviewsfrom various countries indicate a difference between calculated and measuredbuilding energy use, often known as the ‘energy performance gap’. This articleexplores the existence and magnitude of the energy performance gap in Swedenand identifies possible reasons behind it. A general evaluation of Swedishbuildings showed a median discrepancy between 10–20%. To explore causes,semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 building energy experts, whoconfirmed the presence of the EPG and identified contributing factors. Theseinclude: (i) insufficient system optimization post-occupancy, (ii) inaccuraciesin input data, particularly hot water circulation losses, (iii) unexpectedoccupant behaviour, (iv) inconsistent energy metering (v) poor communication.Energy simulation was conducted on a case-study to analyze the differentfactors’ impact. The paper highlights potential strategies to mitigate the EPG,including improved commissioning and enhanced feedback during project deliveryand operation. A holistic approach with effective communication is necessaryfor better building performance.</p>}},
author = {{Bandak, Asala and Sreenivasan, Athira and Hamid, Akram Abdul and Wilde, Pieter de}},
issn = {{1940-1493}},
keywords = {{energy calculations; energy declaration; Performance gap; Sweden}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Journal of Building Performance Simulation}},
title = {{The energy performance gap – a Swedish perspective}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19401493.2025.2567993}},
doi = {{10.1080/19401493.2025.2567993}},
year = {{2025}},
}