Retrofit for energy sufficiency: a seasonal study on user- environment interaction and its impact on energy demand and supply throughout the seasons

Abstract

The Flemish energy policy focusses on energy-efficient renovation through optimization of the building skin which is leading to an increase in materials and costs and still allows a high energy demand. A shift is needed towards resource efficiency which aims to find balance between efficiency and sufficiency. The study explores residents’ comfort experiences to more deeply understand why energy is demanded, when it is sufficient and how the demand is met. In-depth interviews are collected with 5 residents in 3 large, underused Flemish dwellings. The study concludes that taking into account a dynamic way of living throughout the seasons, rather than standard comfort-levels, in relation to all designed environmental features can reveal potentials to save energy and alternative ways to optimize levels of comfort.