Two case studies in energy efficient renovation of multi-family housing; Explaining robustness as a characteristic to assess long-term sustainability

Abstract

This study addresses two energy efficiency (EE) approaches to renovation of multi-family housing in Sweden aiming at a better understanding of robustness as a building characteristic especially in terms of energy performance of buildings and indoor air quality (IAQ). Gårdsten (Solar houses) and Brogården (passive houses) have been analyzed using an analytical framework. Adaptability, Redundancy, preference for passive techniques, users control over IAQ, transparency of systems to users and maintenance facility have been considered as the main criteria for robustness analysis and the performance of cases has been studied in relation to major factors likely to face uncertainties such as household appliances, occupant behavior, maintenance support, energy sources, technical systems, envelope quality and climatic conditions. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.