Improving buildings quality through the reduction of the energy performance gap

The paper introduces a new quality assessment methodology, based on the concepts of “self-instruction” and “self-inspection” for low energy buildings built with prefabricated technologies. The application of this methodology becomes crucial because there is an increasing number of buildings that consume more energy than what expected during the design phase, despite: new energy efficiency standards, innovative digitalised design processes, use of highly performing building components. Reducing the gap between predicted and measured performance is therefore also necessary in consideration of the new European Union roadmap, which encourages the construction and refurbishment of energy-efficient buildings.