Energy Performance of Education Buildings – the performance gap and its consequences Dr Kerry J Mashford, Chief Executive, National Energy Foundation Greening Education – 9 th June 2014 Improving the use of energy in buildings

Why bother about building energy? Usually single largest cost item after staff cost Energy costs volatile but upward trend Savings of 30% energy bill readily achievable Energy = comfort & good air quality = productivity Hidden costs Performance gap Maintenance Management

Energy cost projection DECC retail energy prices 2001 – 2025 (Non domestic – central estimate) Electricity p/kWh projection Gas p/kWh Previous decade – 65% Next decade ~ 50% Previous decade – 120% Next decade ~ 20%

New and existing buildings Management – existing buildings Retrofit and refurbishment Making better buildings Procurement – new building Making buildings better

“In theory, theory and practice are the same…… …..in practice, they aren’t” Energy Efficient Buildings – Delivered! New buildings

Building often don’t perform as expected Source : Bill Bordass based on data from Better Buildings Partnership

Probe Exemplar buildings post occupancy – actual twice as much as design The scale of the problem ( 1) 1

Carbon Trust studies – (Low Carbon Buildings Accelerator and Low Carbon Buildings Programme) Actual energy use up to 5 times higher than specified The scale of the problem

Building Performance Evaluation Programme Over 100 new build projects Over 50 non-domestic studies Completion and early occupation / in-use 18 schools buildings; 5 university buildings Energy use 2.5 times predicted – and more Technology Strategy Board

Emerging themes Commissioning – not a single building fully commissioned Sub-meters and reconciliation – not functioning or understood BMS – training, complexity, functionality, commissioning Controls – complexity and labelling Lighting – too much and inability to control Fabric performance – specification and construction HVAC – integration and control of multiple systems Renewables – installation, operation and maintenance Credit: Technology Strategy Board …..what do these tell us?

Where does the performance gap come from? Expected energy use Save costs, energy and carbon Improve comfort

How does the performance gap arise? Successful execution of each stage of building delivery depends on decisions made at earlier stages – we need a whole systems approach

“A smart building is one that doesn’t make the occupants feel stupid” Adrian Leaman Intelligent Design

Other (adverse) Factors Be clear about your requirements If performance relies on technology, allow for skilled staff. Check that installed matches design – audits. Verify and monitoring post completion. Adequate allowance for hand-over and commissioning. Plans for guidance and training for occupants. Provision made for follow-through by builders/designers after hand over. Procurement factors influencing performance (and operation cost)

Framework tools to help

Evaluate Performance

Evaluate Performance - Tools and techniques

In summary Take a whole systems approach. Good decisions at the early design stage will pay dividends in maximising of all aspects of building performance. Ensure all systems are properly commissioned and set up at handover. Make sure that sub-metering is fully implemented and there is a clear plan to use it. Ensure building managers and occupants understand how to operate their building efficiently. Conduct a root cause analysis to find and solve areas where prediction and practice are different.

“A smart building is one that doesn’t make the occupants feel stupid” Intelligent Design

……when you’re not using it How much energy does your building use? For existing buildings

Improving the use of energy in buildings