ABSTRACT
The performance gap is the common term used for the gap between predicted and as-built performance. A significant gap in a building’s energy performance undermines its vital role in delivering the national carbon reduction plan, which in turn has major consequences for climate change and global resource depletion and major implications for national and international policy. Energy performance needs to be valued as highly as other issues such as acoustics, fire and access. Whilst the designer can design out many issues like thermal bridging, the responsibility for production lies with the main contractor, who must ensure that the design is made a reality. Poor energy performance is symptomatic of poor design and construction quality. As-built energy performance is directly related to the wider aspects of construction quality. Quality of construction should not be defined by the expense of finish e.g. gold standard bathroom or kitchen.
