Evaluation of energy consumption in passive house student housing

Marianne Auran Ertsaas, Aoife Anne Marie Houlihan Wiberg, Bjørn Jenssen, Jens Tønnesen

    Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned reportpeer-review

    Abstract

    Berg student housing is the first low energy/passive house student housing project in Norway(2010). The subject of this evaluation is the “cubes” of the Berg student housing complex. The layout comprises 37 two story singular houses each with eight single rooms sharing one kitchen. Control simulation (post completion) for the cubes shows a net energy demand of 88 kWh/m2 and a total calculated delivered energy demand of 92 kWh/m2 year. In this study the calculated delivered energy demand has been compared to actual energy consumption post occupancy. Data for 2011 and 2012 shows that there is a significant deviation between the calculated and actual measured energy consumption. Actual energy con sumption exceeds the calculations by 60 %. There are significant variations between individual cubes ranging from 30 to 120 % more than the estimated levels. The occupancy’s habits, knowledge and attitudes will influence directly on the energy consumption. The fact that simulations are based on standardized data for the user controlled conditions, while the occupants make use of the full range of the technical capacity, is relevant for the result. Current regulatory requirements only relates to a theoretical energy demand and not to actual energy consumption post occupancy. This governs the contractual obligations imposed on the contractor. Hence the focus is on meeting these requirements and not on the situation post occupancy. The follow up and monitoring of these ambitions in the operational phase is also crucial to the achievement of objectives. To achieve this, the organization operating the facilities is responsible to educate and familiarize the employees and the residents, establish procedures for energy conservation and to monitoring that the objectives are achieved. The technical facilities, the occupancies and the operational organization and management must interact as a whole and communicate well to enable potential optimal energy savings to be realized. This holistic approach should be applicable to all phases of the project. Evaluation of energy consumption in passive house student housing
    Original languageEnglish
    PublisherNTNU
    Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 2013

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