Predicted vs actual performance of green buildings

Environment
Published: 28 February 2011
Edited: 3 September 2018
by Brett Pollard
ISSN: 2207-466X

This note was reviewed in September 2018 and retained for legacy.

This paper reviews the major North American and Australian sustainability rating tools to determine how they measure building energy performance. It then reviews the major building energy simulation software packages. The paper then details some of the literature surrounding predicted vs. actual energy performance in green buildings, and concludes with an argument for a more performance-orientated ratings regime.

Melbourne’s Council House 2 (CH2)
Melbourne’s Council House 2 (CH2), a 6-star Green Star rated building with a postoccupancy evaluation to back up its design rating. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Note Summary
  1. Introduction
  2. Rating tools
  3. Building Energy Simulation Software
  4. How Green Certified Buildings are Performing
  5. Conclusions & Recommendations