Energy performance labels for dwellings versus real energy consumption

Abstract

The Flemish EPB calculation method, in accordance with the EU EPBD, determines an insulation label and an energy performance label as an assessment method for the theoretical energy performance of buildings. By monitoring 70 recently built dwellings, this research aims to check the extent to which these labels correspond to the real energy performance of standard up to energy neutral dwellings. Results show that the labels correspond reasonably, meaning that dwellings with a better label generally effectively have lower energy consumption. The calculated consumption for both heating and hot water, however, are in general an overestimation of the real energy consumption.