EUROPEAN STANDARD

NORME EUROPENNE

DRAFT
prEN 15203

EUROPISCHE NORM
March 2005
ICS

English version

Energy performance of buildings - Assessment of energy use

and definition of ratings
Performance nergtique des btiments - Evaluation de
l'nergie utilise et dfinition des indices de performance

Energetische Verhalten von Gebuden - Evaluierung des

Energieverbrauchs von Gebuden und Definition der
Leistungsindikatoren

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 89.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMIT EUROPEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPISCHES KOMITEE FR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36

2005 CEN

All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved

worldwide for CEN national Members.

B-1050 Brussels

Ref. No. prEN 15203:2005: E

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Contents

Page

Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4
1

Scope ......................................................................................................................................................5

Normative references ............................................................................................................................5

Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................7

Symbols and abbreviations ..................................................................................................................9

Assessment of energy use of buildings............................................................................................10

Delivered energy, primary energy, emissions and energy costs ...................................................14

Calculated rating..................................................................................................................................17

Operational rating ................................................................................................................................19

Validated building calculation model ................................................................................................22

10

Planning of retrofit measures for existing buildings .......................................................................25

11

Report ...................................................................................................................................................26

Annex A (normative) Methods for collecting building data.........................................................................28

Annex B (normative) Assessing the used amounts of energyware ...........................................................31
Annex C (informative) Conventional input data related to occupancy ......................................................33
Annex D (informative) Confidence intervals .................................................................................................35
Annex E (informative) Other uses of energy ................................................................................................38
Annex F (informative) Calorific values of fuels ............................................................................................39
Annex G (informative) Energy monitoring ...................................................................................................42
Annex H (informative) List of possible measures for reducing energy use.............................................45

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Foreword
This document (prEN 15203:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 89 Thermal
performance of buildings and building components, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Introduction
Energy assessments of buildings are carried out for various purposes, such as:
a)

Judging compliance with building regulations expressed in terms of a limitation on energy use or a related
quantity;

b)

Transparency in commercial operations through the certification and/or display of a level of energy
performance (energy certification);

c)

Monitoring of the energy efficiency of the building including heating, ventilation and air conditioning
systems

d)

Helping in planning retrofit measures, through prediction of energy savings which would result from
various actions.

Energy certification of buildings requires a method that is applicable to both new and existing buildings, and
which treats them in an equivalent way. Therefore, a methodology to obtain equivalent results from different
sets of data is presented in this standard. A methodology to assess missing data and to calculate a "standard"
energy use for space heating and cooling, ventilation, domestic hot water and lighting is provided. This
standard also includes a methodology that allows assessment of the energy effectiveness of possible
improvements.
Two principal types of ratings for buildings are proposed in this standard:
1)

The asset rating is obtained by calculation for standardised conditions, but there can be different
ways of assembling the input data from drawings and design values for new buildings, from
drawings, site surveys and rules derived from building typology for existing buildings, and by
improving on the latter by making use of metered energy.

2)

The operational rating is obtained by metering and summing up all delivered energywares.

Because of the differences in the way these two ratings are obtained, they cannot be compared directly.
However, the difference between the two ratings for the same building can be used to assess the cumulative
effects of actual construction, systems and operating conditions versus standard ones and the contribution of
energy uses not included in the asset rating.

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Scope

This standard defines the uses of energy to be taken into account for setting energy performance ratings for
new and existing buildings, and provides:
a)

A method to compute the asset rating, a standard energy use that does not depend on occupant
behaviour, actual weather and other actual (environment or input) conditions. For this, occupancy, climate
and some other data that do not depend on the building itself are conventional ones, depending on the
intended use of the building and on the climatic zone considered.

b)

A method to assess the operational rating, based on the delivered energy.

c)

A methodology to improve confidence in the building calculation model by comparison with actual energy
consumption.

d)

A method to assess the energy effectiveness of possible improvements.

It is up to national bodies to define under which conditions and for which types of buildings the various ratings
apply.

Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 410, Glass in building Determination of luminous and solar characteristics of glazing
EN 673, Glass in building Determination of thermal transmittance (U value) Calculation method
EN 12412-2, Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters Determination of thermal transmittance
by hot box method Part 2: Frames
EN 13187, Thermal performance of buildings Qualitative detection of thermal irregularities in building
envelopes Infrared method
prEN wi 1+3, Energy performance of buildings Methods for expressing energy performance and for energy
certification of buildings
prEN wi 2, Energy performance of buildings Overall energy use, primary energy and CO2 emissions
prEN wi 7, Heating systems in buildings Method for calculation of system energy requirements and system
efficiencies Part 1: General
prEN wi 8, Heating systems in buildings Method for calculation of system energy requirements and system
efficiencies Part 2.1: Space heating emission systems
prEN wi 9, Heating systems in buildings Method for calculation of system energy requirements and system
efficiencies
Part 2.2.1: Boilers
Part 2.2.2: Heat pumps
Part 2.2.3: Heating generation Thermal solar systems
Part 2.2.4: Performance and quality of CHP
Part 2.2.5: Performance and quality of district heating and large volume systems
Part 2.2.6: Performance of other renewables (heat and electricity)
Part 2.2.7: Space heating generation Biomass combustion systems
prEN wi 10, Heating systems in buildings - Method for calculation of system energy requirements and system
efficiencies Part 2.3: Space heating distribution systems

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

prEN wi 11, Heating systems in buildings Method for calculation of system energy requirements and system
efficiencies Part 3.1: Domestic hot water systems, including generation efficiency and the tap water
requirements
prEN wi 12, Calculation of room temperatures and of load and energy for buildings with room conditioning
systems
prEN wi 13, Energy performance of buildings Energy requirements for lighting Part 1: Lighting energy
estimation
prEN wi 14, Energy performance of buildings Calculation of energy use for space heating and cooling
prEN wi 17, Thermal performance of buildings Calculation of energy use for space heating and cooling
General criteria and validation procedures for detailed calculations
prEN wi 20+21, Ventilation for buildings Calculation methods for energy requirements due to ventilation
systems in buildings
prEN wi 22, Calculation methods for energy efficiency improvements by the application of integrated building
automation systems
prEN ISO 6946:2005, Building components and building elements Thermal resistance and thermal
transmittance Calculation method
EN ISO 7345, Thermal insulation Physical quantities and definitions
prEN ISO 10077-1:2004, Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters Calculation of thermal
transmittance Part 1: General
EN ISO 10077-2, Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters Calculation of thermal transmittance
Part 2: Numerical method for frames
prEN ISO 10211:2005, Thermal bridges in building construction Heat flows and surface temperatures
Detailed calculations
EN ISO 12567 (all parts), Thermal performance of windows and doors Determination of thermal
transmittance by hot box method
EN ISO 12569, Thermal insulation in buildings Determination of air change in buildings - Tracer gas dilution
method
EN ISO 13790, Thermal performance of buildings Calculation of energy use for space heating
prEN ISO 14683:2005, Thermal bridges in building construction Linear thermal transmittance Simplified
methods and default values
EN ISO 15927-41), Hygrothermal performance of buildings Calculation and presentation of climatic data
Part 4: Hourly data for assessing the annual energy use for heating and cooling
prEN ISO 15927-6:2004, Hygrothermal performance of buildings Calculation and presentation of climatic
data Part 6: Accumulated temperature differences (degree-days)
ISO 9869, Thermal insulation Building elements In-situ measurement of thermal resistance and thermal
transmittance
ISO 13600, Technical energy systems Basic concepts
ISO 13601, Technical energy systems Structure for analysis Energyware supply and demand sectors

1)

To be published.

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 7345 and the following
apply.
3.1
rating
evaluation of the energy performance of a building based on the weighted sum of the calculated or metered
use of energy carriers.
3.2
asset rating
rating based on calculations of the energy used by a building for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and
lighting, with standard input data related to internal and external climates and occupancy
NOTE
It represents the intrinsic energy potential of a building under standardised conditions of weather and
occupancy This is particularly relevant to certification of standard performance. The asset rating represents a weighted
sum per energyware of the total energy for heating, hot water heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting. This rating
quantifies the calculated energy intensity of the building under standardised conditions for a given set of energy end uses.

3.3
design rating
rating based on calculations using building drawings and design values, calculated for a building at the design
phase
NOTE
The design rating is calculated on the basis of building plans, whereas the asset rating is calculated using data
for the building as actually constructed.

3.4
tailored rating
rating based on calculations of the energy used by the building for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and
lighting, with actual climate and occupancy data
3.5
operational rating
rating based on measured energy use
NOTE
The operational rating is the weighted sum of all energywares used by the building. It is a measure of the inuse performance of the building. This is particularly relevant to certification of actual performance The operational rating
represents the sum per energyware of the total energy used by the building, as measured by meters or other means
described in Annex B. This rating quantifies the total actual energy use of the building.

3.6
building
inhabited construction as a whole, including its envelope,
systems

and heating, ventilation and air conditioning

3.7
new building
building at design stage or under construction or (for operational rating) too recently constructed to have
reliable records of energy use
3.8
existing building
building that is erected, for which actual data necessary to assess the energy use according to this standard
are known or can be measured
3.9
building calculation model
mathematical model of the building used to calculate its energy use

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

NOTE
Most models used in this standard are defined in international standards. Several models may be necessary
to assess the energy use for all purposes.

3.10
validated building calculation model
building calculation model in which one or more parameters are adjusted so that its results do not significantly
differ from the measured reality
3.11
confidence interval
interval that has a high probability (e.g. 95 %) to include the actual value
NOTE

Annex D provides ways to assess such intervals.

3.12
reasonably possible
can be achieved at a reasonable cost
3.13
reasonable cost
investment that is accepted by all parties to reach a given purpose
NOTE
This cost strongly depends on the purpose of the effort. For example, the cost of a rating could be relatively
large if it is to provide an official certificate to put the building on the market or for displaying the building performance to
the public, but reduced if it is simply for statistical purpose.

3.14
energy carrier
substance or phenomenon that can be used to produce mechanical work or heat or to operate chemical or
physical processes [ISO 13600:1997]
3.15
energyware
tradable commodity used mainly to produce mechanical work or heat, or to operate chemical or physical
processes, and listed in Annex A of ISO 13600. [ISO 13600:1997]
NOTE

Energywares form a proper subset of energy carriers. The set of energy carriers is open.

3.16
energyware consumption system
technical energy system consuming energyware and in many cases also other energy carriers and producing
products and services [ISO 13600:1997]
NOTE

Buildings are such systems.

3.17
renewable energy
energy from sources that will not be exhausted during the lifetime of mankind, such as solar energy (thermal
and photovoltaic), wind, hydraulic, biomass
NOTE
In ISO 13602-1:2002, renewable resource is defined as 'natural resource for which the ratio of the creation of
the natural resource to the output of that resource from nature to the technosphere is equal to or greater than one.

3.18
primary energy
energy that has not been subjected to any conversion or transformation process
NOTE
For a building, it is the energy used to produce the energy delivered to the building. It is the delivered energy
divided by the conversion or transformation factor of each form of energy.

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

3.19
delivered energy
energy supplied to the building from the last market agent
NOTE
The boundaries of the building include all internal and external areas associated with the building, where
energy is consumed or produced (see 5.1). The energy produced by the building itself, for example using solar water
heater, photovoltaic systems or co-generation and delivered back to the market is reported separately. Delivered energy is
presented per energyware.

3.19
energy use of a building
total energy per energy carrier delivered to the energy systems for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water
heating, lighting, appliances, etc.
NOTE
Appliances are not explicitly included in the asset rating and in the inter alia subset of energy end uses in
Article 2 of the EPBD2) , but they are in fact included in the total energy use of the building.

3.20
auxiliary energy
energy used by heating, cooling, domestic water, lighting and ventilation systems to transform the delivered
energy into the useful energy
NOTE

This includes energy for fans, pumps, pilot flames, electronics, etc., but not the energy that is transformed.

3.21
calorific value
quantity of heat produced by complete combustion, at a constant pressure equal to 101 320 Pa, of a unit
amount of fuel
NOTE
The gross calorific value includes the heat recovered when condensing the water vapour resulting from the
combustion of hydrogen. The net calorific value does not take account of this latent heat.

Symbols and abbreviations

Table 1 Symbols and units

Symbol
A
c
C
DD
f
I
E
O
Q
t
V&

GCV

Quantity
area
concentration
cost
accumulated temperature differences (degree-days)
factor
solar irradiance
energyware amount
occupancy
quantity of heat or energy
time, time interval
airflow rate
heat flow rate, power
gross calorific value of an energyware
Celsius temperature

Unit
m

Kd
J/m
kg, m, kWh, MJ, etc.
h, h/d, %
J
d, h, s
m/h, m/s
W
MJ/unit, kWh/unit
C

2)

DIRECTIVE 2002/91/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2002 on the
energy performance of buildings

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

NOTE
Hours can be used as the unit of time instead of seconds for all quantities involving time (i.e. for time periods
as well as for air change rates), but in that case the unit of energy is Watt-hours [Wh] instead of Joules.

Table 2 Subscripts
a
c
CO2
d
E
e
ex
g
h
i
i,j,k
L
l

5
5.1

automation and control

cooling
related to CO2 emissions
Delivered, day
electricity
external
exported
Related to gains
heating
internal
numbering indices
limit
lighting

m
n
o
p
rc
rn
s
st
t
v
w
Y

measured
net
operational
primary
recovered
renewable
system
standard
total
ventilation
hot water
year, annual

Assessment of energy use of buildings

Building boundaries

The boundaries for the energy performance assessment shall be clearly defined for all energy carriers before
the calculation. It includes all inside and outside areas associated with the building, where energy is
consumed or produced.
For insulated buildings, it is defined by the building envelope for heat flows, the main building meters for gas,
electricity, district heating and water, the loading port of the storage facility for liquid and solid energywares,
and the smoke exhaust of chimney and connection to main wastewater duct for losses.
If a part of a building system (e.g..boiler, chiller, cooling tower, etc.) is outside the building envelope, it is
nevertheless considered to be inside the boundaries.
A building may refer to a group of adjacent buildings as a whole or parts thereof that have been designed or
altered to be used separately. If one building in a row of similar buildings are to be assessed, heat flows
through partition walls are neglected in the balance.
If adjacent buildings do not have the same type of use, and hence not the same internal design or actual
temperature, heat flows through partition walls are taken into account in the balance.
NOTE
In many cases, buildings in rows have the same use and, for calculation purposes, the internal temperature of
all the buildings can be assumed to be the same, and these partition walls can be taken to be adiabatic. However, if the
external envelope is well insulated and partition walls are not, these heat flows can contribute an appreciable amount of
heat gains and losses.

The way the building envelope is considered to calculate heat flows is defined in prEN wi 14.

5.2

Types of ratings

This standard proposes two principal options for energy rating of buildings, the first being calculated, the
second being based on measurements. These options are the asset rating and the operational rating.

10

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Figure 1 The operational rating includes all energy uses under actual conditions, while the asset
rating includes only some uses, and for standard conditions
The asset rating is based on calculations of the energy used by the building for heating, cooling, ventilation,
hot water and lighting, with standard input data related to climate and occupancy (see 7.2). This rating
provides an assessment of the energy efficiency of the building under standardised conditions that enables a
comparison to be made between different buildings within climatic main regions and with identical or at least
similar activities.
The operational rating is based on measurement of energy use (see Clause 8). The operational rating
measures the in-use performance of a building, including all deviations between theoretical properties in
calculations and realised properties (air-infiltration, heat transfer, generation efficiency, control, etc.) and is
influenced by the way the building is maintained and operated. It cannot therefore be used to provide
prospective purchasers or tenants with like-for-like comparisons between buildings. It assists those trying to
improve the efficiency of building operation and allows displaying the actual energy performance of a building.
It can also provide useful feedback to the owners, occupiers and designers of new buildings if assessed a few
years after occupation and compared to the calculated asset rating, for the same set of energy end uses.
Only asset rating and operational ratings are used for building energy performance certification.
The design rating is similar to the asset rating, but based on building drawing and design intentions. It can be
used to get a building permit.
The tailored rating is an asset rating, in which either actual climatic data or actual occupancy related data or
both are used instead of standard ones. This can be used to compare two buildings having different climates
or different uses, to compare retrofit scenarios, to optimise energy performance, etc.
The calculation models and input used for the asset rating can be validated against the operational rating,
providing more confidence in the model (see Clause 9). The validated model can then be used to compute a
more accurate asset rating, or to study the effect of retrofit scenarios.
The types of rating are summarised in Table 3. The type of rating (asset rating or operational rating) to be
used for certification of different building types is defined in national regulations.
Table 3 Types of ratings

Calculated
Measured

Input data
Name
Use
Climate
Building
Design
Standard Standard Drawings
Asset
Standard Standard
Actual
Tailored
Depending on purpose
Actual
Operational
Actual
Actual
Actual

Utility or purpose
Building permit
Certificate, regulation
Optimisation, comparisons, retrofit planning
Certification, regulation

11

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

5.3

Input and output

5.3.1 General
This standard needs and provides the following information:
5.3.2 Necessary inputs
5.3.2.1

Inputs for calculated ratings

a)

Annual energy use for heating, calculated according to prEN wi 14;

b)

Annual energy use for cooling, calculated according to prEN wi 14;

c)

Annual energy use for hot water, calculated according to prEN wi 11;

d)

Annual energy use for lighting, calculated according to prEN wi 13;

e)

Annual energy use for ventilation, calculated according to prEN wi 20;

f)

Effect of automation and controls, assessed according to prEN wi 22;

g)

Conversion factors from delivered energy to primary energy and CO2 production, according to prEN wi 2.

5.3.2.2
h)

Inputs for operational rating and calculation model validation

Metered energy use for all energywares.

5.3.3 Additional inputs

The following information is normally provided on a national level:
i)

Gross calorific value of energywares;

j)

Standard data related to occupancy (temperature, humidity, airflow rate, internal gains, hot water use, and
standard energy use for appliances other than heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and lighting);

k) Standard climatic data.

12

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Figure 2 Inputs to this standard and outputs from this standard

5.3.4 Provided output

For certification and regulation purposes this standard provides:
l)

Asset rating: the calculated energy use of the building under standard conditions;

m) Operational rating, based on metered energy use;

For obtaining building permits this standard provides:
n) Design rating;
For other purposes this standard provides:
o) Validated building calculation model that can be used to assess the effect of measures to be taken for
improving the energy performance, including combinations thereof;
p) Tailored rating.
These outputs are used for expressing the energy performance of the building and establishing energy
performance requirements according to prEN wi 1+3.

13

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

6
6.1

Delivered energy, primary energy, emissions and energy costs

Energy uses

The total calculated energy used by the building shall comprise the annual energy use for the following
purposes:

heating;
cooling;
ventilation systems;
hot water;
lighting.

Each energy use includes auxiliary energy and losses of systems.

Energy uses for other purposes (e.g. electrical appliances, cooking, industrial processes) are not included in
the calculated energy use but the total metered energy will normally include these other uses.

6.2

Delivered energy

6.2.1 General
For each of the purposes listed in 6.1, the energy use is calculated for standardised use and climate according
to the standards cited in 6.2.2. The results are allocated to energy carriers for each purpose according to the
scheme in Table 4.
The rows and columns in Table 4 should be adapted to the building concerned. The columns include the
relevant energy carriers. The sub-total row relates to the energy included in the asset rating.
If energy is produced on site, rows and columns are added to the matrix for each energy producing system.
Delivered energy consumed by the systems (e.g. gas for cogeneration) is indicated in the appropriate cell
under "energy consumption", and energy produced by a system is indicated by a negative number in the
appropriate cell under "energy production". Energy produced and consumed on site is indicated by a positive
number in the cell corresponding to the appropriate use. A negative number in the total row means energy
being exported.
Exported amounts of energy carriers (electricity or heat in most cases) are accounted separately, because
different conversion factors may apply to them.
System heat losses that are recovered are, depending on the way they are recovered, either deducted from
the loss of each system or taken into account as gains to calculate energy use for heating and cooling.
NOTE
In buildings with co-generation, it is not straightforward to attribute the fuel used to the heat and electricity
produced and the system loss. This splitting should nevertheless be performed as well as reasonably possible.

The calculation for heating and cooling is based on a mathematical calculation model of the building defined in
prEN wi 14. Other more sophisticated calculation models can be used, provided that they provide the annual
energy use for all the purposes mentioned in 6.1 and that they follow the calculation procedures of prEN wi 14
for detailed simulation methods for heating and cooling calculations.
NOTE
These procedures include rules for the building boundaries, partitioning into zones, the elements to take into
account in the energy balance, the boundary conditions and physical input, plus reference to the validation procedures
according to prEN wi 17.

14

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Weighted energy

Heat from
cogeneraration

Electricity from
cogeneration

Solar energy
thermal

Carrier n

Electricity

Wood

District cooling

District heating

Gas

Oil

Use of energy

Coal

Energy carrier

Solar photovoltac

Table 4 Accounting energy uses for asset rating

Heating
Cooling
Ventilation system
Hot water
Lighting
Sub-total
Prod. solar thermal
Prod. photovoltaic
Prod: cogeneration
Total
Weighting factors
Weighted energy

6.2.2 Energy use for hot water

The energy use for energy carrier i for hot water is calculated by:

Qw, i = Qnw, i + Qsw,i

(1)

where

Qnw,i

is the annual net use of energy carrier i for hot water, calculated according to prEN wi 11;

Qswc,i
is the annual use energy carrier i for the hot water system, calculated according to prEN wi 11
and prEN wi 9.
If there is no hot water circulation, heat flows between the building and the hot and cold water systems are
either neglected, or heat flow from the hot water system to the internal environment and heat flow from the
internal environment to the cold water network shall be both taken into account in the calculation of the energy
use for heating and cooling.
If there is hot water circulation, heat flow between the hot water circulation systems and the building are
accounted as losses of the hot water system. The part lost within the conditioned space is accounted for in the
internal gains to compute energy for heating and cooling.
6.2.3 Energy use for lighting
The annual energy use of energy carrier i for lighting, Ql,i , is calculated according to prEN wi 13, and the
effects of control according to prEN wi 22. The part of this energy, lighting the conditioned space, is added to
the internal gains to compute energy for heating and cooling.

15

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

6.2.4 Energy use for heating
The annual energy use in energy carrier i for heating, Qnh,i, is calculated according to prEN wi 14, taking
account of the system's losses and of the effects of controls according to prEN wi 22.
Auxiliary energy used in the heating system (pumps, fans, control systems) shall be also taken into account at
this step if not already accounted for in the energy use of the heating system.
6.2.5 Energy use for cooling
The annual energy use in energy carrier i for cooling, Qnc,i, is calculated according to prEN wi 14 taking
account of the effects of controls according to prEN wi 22.
Auxiliary energy used in the cooling system (pumps, fans, control systems) shall be also taken into account at
this step if not already accounted for in the energy use of the cooling system.
6.2.6 Energy use for ventilation
The annual energy use for ventilation, Qvs, is calculated according to prEN wi 20.

6.3

Delivered energy per energy carrier

The delivered energy for each energy carrier is calculated by adding each energy used by that energy carrier.

Qd,i = Qh,i + Qc,i + Qv,i + Qw,i + Ql,i

(2)

where
is the annual delivered energy in carrier i.

Qd,i

The annual on-site production of renewable energy, Qrn, and the annual quantity of energy exported, Qex, are
calculated separately (see prEN wi 9, Parts 2.2.3, 2.2.4 and 2.2.6).
For rating the building, the delivered and exported energy per energy carrier are combined using weighting
factors for each energy carrier. Examples are primary energy, emission and cost. Factors may be different for
delivered and exported energy.
NOTE
The total delivered energy for the operational rating includes also the energy for uses other than those
mentioned in 6.1. and Equation (4).

6.4

Primary energy

Primary energy is calculated from the delivered and exported energy for each energyware:

Qp =

(Qd,i fp,i ) (Qex,i fpex,i )

(3)

where

Qd,i

is the delivered energy for energyware i;

Qex,i

is the exported energy for energyware i;

fp,i

is the primary energy factor for energyware i, fpex,i is the primary energy factor for the exported
energyware i. These two factors can be the same.

Primary energy factors are calculated according to prEN wi 2.

NOTE

16

Equation (6) is a sum of energywares. Energy carriers that are not energywares are omitted.

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

6.5

Carbon dioxide emissions

CO2 emissions are calculated from the delivered energy for each energy carrier:

ECO2 =

(Qd,i f CO2,i ) (Qex,i f CO2ex,i )

(4)

where

Qd,i

is the delivered energy for energy carrier i;

Qex,i

is the exported energy for energy carrier i;

fCO2,i
is the CO2 emission factor for energyware i and fCO2ex,i is the primary energy factor for the
exported energyware i. These two factors can be the same.
CO2 emission factors are calculated according to prEN wi 2
NOTE

6.6

Equation (6) is a sum of energywares. Energy carriers that are not energywares are omitted.

Total energy cost

The delivered energy use for each energyware is first expressed in terms of amounts of energywares:

Ei =

Qd,i

(5)

GCVi

where
is the delivered energy energyware i;

Qd,i
Ei,

is the annual amount of energyware i delivered to the building expressed in units used to
express the cost of the energyware. This unit shall be consistent with the unit of GCVi.;
is the gross calorific value of each energyware, expressed in units consistent with the unit of E.

GCVi

NOTE
The gross calorific values of several fuels depend on source and quality. Values can be given in national
standards.

The total energy cost is calculated by adding the cost of each delivered energyware and subtracting the
income resulting from energy delivered back to the market:

C=

Ei,d Ci,d Ei,ex Ci,e

i

(6)

where Ci is the unit cost of energyware i. The subscript d is for delivered, and ex for exported.

7
7.1

Calculated rating
General

The calculated rating shall be based on one of the ways of expressing performance defined in prEN wi 1+3. It
is related to weighted sum of the calculated delivered energywares according to Clause 6, where the
weightings can be related to primary energy, CO2 emissions or energy costs.

17

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

7.2

Asset rating

7.2.1 General
The asset rating is a calculated rating applying to existing buildings, based on standardised use of the building
or the activity areas concerned. It is based on best data available at a reasonable cost, but climate and
occupant-related input data are standard, conventional ones.
The asset rating is calculated according to Clause 6 using input data as defined below.
7.2.2 Climate and occupant-related input data
7.2.2.1

General

Data that are more related to climate or occupants than to building characteristics are standardised for the
calculation of asset rating. These standard input data are defined at the national or the regional level. The
corresponding variables are defined in 7.2.2.2 and 7.2.2.3.
7.2.2.2

Data related to occupancy and use

These data depend of the type of building and its usage. They should be provided on a national basis. These
data shall include at least:

i
.

internal set-point temperatures as required by prEN wi 14. If this temperature varies (e.g. night setback), schedules shall also be provided;
air flow rate through the building, including airflows to and from unconditioned spaces. This data can
be normalised to conditioned area or to the number of occupants;

Qg internal heat gains coming form occupancy and heat generated by other sources than heating. This
data can be normalised to conditioned area or to the number of occupants.
Operation schedules of heating and cooling plant.
Hot water use per person and temperatures of cold and heated water.

QE,l Electricity use for lighting, calculated using prEN wi 13using either a standard lighting requirement, or
standard luminaries and standard number of luminaries.
NOTE

Annex C provides informative values to be used where no national information is available.

7.2.2.3

Climatic data

The climatic data of an appropriate meteorological station shall be used.

monthly average or hourly values of external temperature, depending on then method used
in prEN wi 14;

Ij

monthly total solar irradiance for each orientation, in J/m, or hourly values of solar irradiation,
in W/m, depending on then method used in prEN wi 14.

EN ISO 15927 specifies the calculation and presentation of meteorological data.

NOTE
Methods to compute monthly total solar irradiance for any orientation form data available on an horizontal
plane exist in the literature. These can be used, as well as tables provided at a national level.

18

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

7.2.3 Building input data
Actual building data are used to compute the asset rating. These data shall be as close as reasonably
possible to the actual values. Design data can be used where they are valid.
Annex A gives more information on ways to acquire the data.

7.3

Design rating

The design rating is calculated according to 7.2, but it is based on the building drawings and design data. It can
be used to obtain a building permit.
Once the building has been erected, this rating is adapted to actual building data to obtain the asset rating.
NOTE
same.

7.4

Since the design may change during planning and construction, the design and asset ratings are often not the

Tailored rating

The tailored rating is a rating calculated according to 7.2 but with actual climate and occupancy data.

Operational rating

8.1

Assessment method

The operational rating is the weighted sum of the measured annual amounts of all the energywares used by
the building, where the weights are related to primary energy, CO2 emissions or energy costs.
Table 5 Accounting energywares for operational rating

Weighted energy
use

Heat from
cogeneration

Solar energy
thermal

Energyware n

Grid electricity

Wood

Coal

Gas

Oil

Use of energy

District heating

Energy carrier

Electricity from
cogeneration

Energy production
Solar photovoltac

Energy consumption

Units
Annual delivered quantity
- exported quantity
Quantity used in building
Weighting factors
Weighted energy use.
(primary, kg CO2, etc)

In many cases, all energy delivered to a building is used for that building. In other cases, some of the
delivered energy is surplus to the requirements of the building and is exported either to the grid or to other
buildings. Often it is difficult to identify which energy end use is being served by a specific energyware.
The columns in Table 5 include the relevant energywares and should be adapted to the building concerned:
additional columns can be added as necessary, for example for a wind turbine. The annual delivered row

19

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

relates to the total delivery of each energyware, as might be measured according to 8.3. The exported energy
carriers might be measured by an export meter or its surrogate.

8.2

Assessment period

8.2.1 General requirements

Energy use for all energywares shall be assessed for the same period.
In principle, the time period is the whole year. If only cooling or heating energy is assessed and metered
separately from other uses, the time periods are the whole cooling or heating seasons.
NOTE
months.

For example, the assessment period of energywares used mainly for heating could exclude the summer

It is recommended to take the average over several full years, as long as the building and its use pattern do
not change.
No modifications to the building that may change its energy performance should happen during the
assessment period.
It is recommended that the first one or two years after the building construction are discarded.
NOTE

The energy use during the first years is often larger than during the following years for several reasons:
some additional energy is used to dry the building fabric;
the adjustment of control system may not be perfect from the first day of use;
there may be some faults that are corrected during the first year.

It is recommended that the meters are read, or stored quantities are measured, at a time when the
consumption of the energyware concerned is low. In particular, it is recommended the amounts of
energywares used for heating and of energywares used for cooling are assessed separately. The errors
resulting of metering for not exactly 365 days will then be reduced.
8.2.2 Extrapolation methods
a)

If the assessment cannot be performed for a whole year, the annual energy use can be extrapolated to a
whole year, using an appropriate method depending on the use of the energyware. Energywares used for
several purposes, or for purposes for which none of the extrapolation methods listed below can be
applied, shall be assessed for a whole year or an integral number of years.

Possible extrapolation methods include:

a)

For energywares used at constant daily average power, the extrapolation is linear:

E=

tY
E (t )
t

(7)

where
tY

is the duration of the year;

the assessment time period;

E(t) is the amount of energyware used during the assessment time period.

b) For energywares used for heating, the extrapolation can be performed either by using the energy
signature (see informative Annex G.1) or by degree-day weighing (see prEN ISO 15927-6:2004):

20

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

E=

[i,L e (t )]dt
E (t )
[ i,L e (t )]dt

year

or E =

DDY
E (t )
DD(t )

(8)

period

where

I,L is the heating limit temperature calculated as:

i,L = i

1Qgd
H td

(9)

where

1 is the conventional utilisation factor calculated according to EN ISO 13790 with gain/load ratio equal
to unity;

Qgd are the daily average internal and solar gains;

H

is the heat transfer coefficient of the building;

td

is the duration of the day, that is 24 h or 86 400 s;

is the external temperature;

DD(tY) is the number of degree-days according to prEN ISO 15927-6:2004 for the whole year, while
DD(t) is the number of degree-days for the assessment period;
E(t) is the amount of energyware used during the assessment time period.
NOTE
The use of degree-days is adequate for obtaining an operational rating. When measurements need to be
corrected for validating the building calculation model, the use a method which takes the building quality into account, like
the energy signature, is recommended.

If the assessment is done by energy signature, the assessment period shall encompass a wide range of
values of the average external temperature.
c) For energywares used at a rate depending on occupancy:
E=

OY
E (t )
O(t )

(10)

where
OY is the occupancy during the whole year;
O(t) is the occupancy during the assessment time period;
E(t) is the amount of energyware used during the assessment time period.
In any case, the confidence interval of the result shall be assessed.
NOTE
The shorter the assessment period, the larger the influence of the extrapolation on the confidence interval will
be. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to use the whole year as the assessment time period.

If the confidence interval is too large because of a too short assessment period or because the assessment
period is not appropriate (e.g. swing seasons), the assessment period shall be extended, preferably to a
whole year,

21

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

8.3

Assessing the used amounts of all energywares

The amount of all energywares shall be assessed as accurately as reasonably practicable, from recorded data,
energy bills, or measurements. The confidence intervals of each figure shall be estimated.
Energy used for other purposes than heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water or lighting (i.e. energy use for
cooking, washing, production units, etc.) should be assessed separately as accurately as reasonably
practicable, by separate metering or by estimation of power and operating time.
Methods for assessing used amounts of various energywares are given in Annex B.

8.4

Correction for climate

Correction of the measured energy consumption for climate is necessary to ensure that the energy consumed
during the period of measurement is representative for that building location.
To achieve this, the measured energy consumption for heating and cooling shall be adjusted to the average
climate for the building.
The general method to perform this correction is to use the calculation model described in Clause 6 to
calculate and validate a tailored rating according to Clause 9, and to use the validated calculation model to recalculate the energy use with standard climatic data.
If energy for heating is metered separately, the correction for temperature on heating energy can however be
performed using:

[ i e,st (t )]dt

E=

year

[ i e (t )]dt

EWA(t ) or E =

DDst
Em
DD(t )

(11)

year

where
DD is the number of degree-days. DDst is the standard values while DD(t) is the actual value at building
location during the assessment period.
In this case the effects of the variations of other climatic parameter are neglected.

9
9.1

Validated building calculation model

Introduction

In new buildings, all required information exists to compute energy use, when necessary using conventional
occupancy data; but the actual energy use is not available, so there is no experimental validation of the input
data and the building mathematical calculation model. In existing buildings, actual energy use is known in
most cases from energy meters, but often some information, such as thermal transmittances of components
or actual air change rate needs to be estimated. Corrections to the operational rating cannot be performed
without a building calculation model.
The method given in this clause enables the attainment of a higher confidence level in the building calculation
model and input data used for calculations, by comparing the calculated result with the actual energy use. It is
recommended, but not mandatory, to use this method for existing building, in particular for assessing the
energy effectiveness of possible improvement measures or to make corrections to the operational rating.

22

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

9.2

Procedure

9.2.1 Validation of the building calculation model

Obtain the operational rating according to Clause 8.

Collect information such as actual climatic data, air permeability of the envelope, ventilation rate, heating
system efficiencies, actual internal conditions (occupancy, intermittent heating, temperatures, ventilation, etc.)
from building technical documentation, or through surveys, measurements and monitoring, as far as they are
available at a reasonable cost. See 9.3 for ways of collecting climatic data, 9.4 for occupancy data and
Annex E for energy for other uses. The confidence intervals of all data shall be estimated. Input data that
cannot be assessed are taken from inference rules, national references or standards.
The assessment period for collecting all data (energy use and input data for the calculation) shall be the same.
Calculate a tailored rating, using data as close to reality as reasonably possible not only for the building, but
also for climate and occupancy data. Compute the confidence interval of the rating, resulting from
uncertainties of input data.
The amount of energywares used for other purposes than heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water or lighting
shall be added to the tailored rating. If these are not metered separately, they shall be estimated. The part of
this energy used within the conditioned space shall also be taken into account as internal gains in the
calculation of the tailored rating.
NOTE
There is no normative method defined in this standard to compute the "other uses". A list of typical energy use
for cooking, washing, and electrical equipment including computers or production processes etc. can be provided at
national level for various types of buildings. Some information is given in Annex E

Compare the results of operational rating and of this tailored rating.

If the confidence intervals do not overlap significantly, or if they are unacceptably large, further investigations
shall be made in order to verify the data or to introduce new influencing factors that may have been previously
ignored, and the calculation shall be repeated with the new set of input data. If necessary, adjust input data (in
a credible way, e.g. within their confidence interval) so that the calculated rating does not differ significantly
from the operational rating.
NOTE
Many data on existing buildings are known only with limited accuracy. The actual value can then be any value
within the confidence interval of the data. By adjusting the values within their confidence interval, it is in most cases
possible to fit the calculated rating to the operational rating. Doing this gives a better confidence in the calculation model
used for the calculated rating.

When both confidence intervals are acceptable and overlap significantly, it is assumed that the calculation
model of the building, including estimated input data, is plausible, and the procedure can be continued further.
9.2.2 Ratings based on the validated calculation model

In order to get an asset rating based on the validated model, perform the calculated rating once more, using
the same calculation model but with standard input data according to 7.2.2 for climate and occupancy instead
of actual climate and occupancy data.
NOTE
The difference between operational and asset ratings is a function of the effects of climate variations,
differences between the actual building and its representation in the calculation model, building use and management and
occupant behaviour, as well as the accuracy of the calculation model and uses of energy not taken into account in the
asset rating.

To make climate corrections to the operational rating, perform the calculated rating once more, using the
same calculation model but with standard input data according to 7.2.2 for climate instead of actual climate
and occupancy data.

23

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

9.3

Climatic data

Obtain monthly average values of external temperature and solar irradiance from the meteorological station
that is most representative of the location of the building. If possible, obtain data measured for the same time
period as that used for energy metering. Hourly values are needed for using an hourly calculation method.
Solar irradiance shall be available for all orientations of the building envelope that include transparent
elements or elements covered with transparent insulation.
NOTE 1
Ways of calculating irradiance on any orientation from solar irradiance on a horizontal surface are found in
literature3.

If the altitude of the meteorological station significantly differs from that of the building, external temperatures
shall be corrected for altitude according to local average temperature gradients.
NOTE 2

9.4

Depending on the climate, the correction is between 0,5 K and 1 K decrease per 100 m altitude difference.

Occupancy data

9.4.1 Internal temperature

The actual internal temperature should be assessed, since it often differs from design temperature and has a
significant influence on the energy use for cooling or heating. There are several methods for this.
In buildings with mechanical ventilation, the air temperature in the exhaust duct upwind of the fan can give an
estimate of the average temperature of the ventilated zone when exhaust fan is on.
In many large buildings, a central computer controls all the systems, and records the internal temperature at
several places.
The temperature can be measured or monitored (using small single-channel data loggers) at some
representative places during representative days, i.e. days that have meteorological characteristics that
represent the corresponding month or season.
If the heating or cooling systems are controlled by thermostats, their set points could be used, provided that
the calibration of the thermostat is checked.
9.4.2 Air infiltration and ventilation

External airflow rate should be estimated as well as reasonably possible. Ways to do this include:
a)

assessments of the airflow rates of air handling units where appropriate;

b)

use of the tracer gas dilution method as described in EN ISO 12569.

In buildings where the occupants are the only source of carbon dioxide gas, monitoring the CO2 concentration
can be used to assess the airflow rate per person. Since the carbon gas production of a sitting person is about
20 l/hour, the air exchange with the external environment at steady state and in cubic metres per hour per
person is:
V& =

20
c ce

where

3 For example in Duffie and Beckmann, Solar energy thermal processes, John Wiley & sons, 1974

24

(12)

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

is the carbon dioxide concentration measured in the internal air or in the exhaust duct, in parts per
thousand;

ce

is the carbon dioxide concentration measured in the external air, in parts per thousand;
ce 400 ppm = 0,4 %o

9.4.3 Internal gains

The occupancy (number of occupants) and presence time can be assessed from a survey or from the building
management.
The internal gains from artificial lighting and electrical appliances are at best assessed from electricity bills
where there are no heating or cooling systems on the same meter.
NOTE
Not all the electricity used becomes an internal heat gain (e.g. lights can be placed externally or the heat can
be partly exhausted.)

9.4.4 Hot water use

Where a separate meter is installed, hot water use shall be obtained from the difference of two readings at the
beginning and end of the assessment period.
NOTE
In this case, meters are generally used to include hot water use in bills, from which the information can be
obtained without looking at the meters.

Where hot water use is not metered, it should be estimated from the number of occupants, use of the building
and local habits, or data found in national documentation may be used.
9.4.5 Artificial lighting

Electricity bills may be useful to assess energy use for lighting, provided there are no other systems (cooking,
heating, cooling systems or other appliances) on the same meter.
Energy use for lighting can also be assessed by counting the number of luminaries together with their power
and assessing, from enquiries, their times of operation.
NOTE
The total power of a luminaire, including not only the lamp but also the transformer, choke or other
accessories, shall be taken into account.

Otherwise, energy use for lighting is estimated by calculation according to prEN wi 13.

10 Planning of retrofit measures for existing buildings

The assessment of retrofit measures is carried out using a building calculation model. This can be the same
calculation model as for the tailored rating, according to 7.3, or the validated rating according to Clause 9. The
building calculation model is used for planning retrofit measures, i.e. to assess the effect of various sets of
retrofit measures.
The validated calculation model is recommended.
When preparing the calculation model, the following issues are taken into account:
a)

The calculation model used for asset rating can only predict the effects of improvements related to
heating, cooling, hot water, ventilation or lighting. It cannot be used to predict the effects of better
management or user behaviour, since it is based on standard input data;

b)

Specific calculation models that can be used to predict savings of specific measures (such as calculating
the energy savings when improving the thermal performance of a window by multiplying the thermal

25

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

transmittance by area and degree-hours) do not take account of interactions (such as a low solar
transmittance of the same window, which reduces the solar gains and thus changes the utilisation factor);
c)

If the operational rating is used to validate the building calculation model and input data by aligning its
predictions with measured values, there is increased confidence that predicted measures will in practice
deliver their anticipated benefits.

When a building is sold, used for another purpose or used by another occupant, standard occupancy and
climatic data should be used for planning retrofit measures.
If the building is used in the same way as before, climatic and occupancy data according to the tailored rating
can be used.
NOTE

This allows the effects of adjusting building management or occupant behaviourto be assessed.

Prepare one or more retrofit scenarios, each containing a list of compatible retrofit measures. Priority should
be given to measures that would affect the largest energy uses.
Since some measures may interact (e.g. increased thermal insulation or passive solar gains might decrease
boiler efficiency), the effect of individual measures cannot be added. Combined measures shall be calculated
as one package.
NOTE

Annex H gives a list of possible measures for reducing energy use.

Then, for each scenario, the input data is modified according to the planned retrofit measures and the
calculation performed again. The difference between the results without and with the retrofit measures is the
effect of these measures on the energy use.
When a final set of retrofit measures is chosen, an asset rating of the retrofitted building may be calculated
using the building calculation model with a set of input data taking account of the retrofit measures and using
standard climate and occupancy input according to 7.2.2.
NOTE

The effectiveness of measures depends on how the building is actually used.

11 Report
This clause defines the content of the report on assessment of energy use of a building according to this
standard. The content of a certificate is defined in prEN wi 1+3.
The report shall include the following information:
a)

reference to this standard;

b)

the purpose of the energy performance rating;

c)

a description of the building and its location, its activities, equipment and occupancy;

d)

the rating method used;

e)

the rating itself together with its confidence interval;

f)

Climate parameters used for the calculated asset rating or as known - average external temperature,
solar irradiance, etc.- for the measured operational rating).

In addition, depending on the rating method, the following information is included:

g)

Calculated rating:
1)

26

the content of the report according to prEN wi 14;

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

h)

i)

j)

2)

assumptions used to compute the energy use for hot water and lighting;

3)

the energy use for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and lighting, for each energyware, together
with their confidence intervals.

Operational rating, for each energyware:

1)

the method used to assess its use;

2)

the amount used, in units used when assessing it (e.g. litres, cubic meters, kilograms, kWh);

3)

the energy use of each energyware in kWh or MJ or multiples of them, together with their confidence
intervals.

Validated rating:
1)

report on the operational rating;

2)

assumptions used to fit the tailored rating to the operational rating;

3)

result of the calculated rating including confidence intervals;

4)

validated asset rating if calculated, including confidence intervals.

Improvement measures:
1)

list of measures, grouped by packages when appropriate;

2)

effect of each measure or package of measures on the energy performance;

3)

if required, cost effectiveness of the measures or packages.

27

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Annex A
(normative)
Methods for collecting building data

A.1 Data on building envelope

A.1.1 General
Information on the building envelope, such as dimensions, thermal transmittance or structure and areas of
envelope components, characteristics of thermal bridges, solar energy transmittance of glazed envelope
components, is collected from drawings, local survey and measurements, or inference rules based on
typology.
Information on ways of assessing building envelope characteristics is given below.

A.1.2 Assessment of thermal transmittance of opaque building elements

There are several ways of assessing thermal transmittance of opaque building elements.
If the structure of the element is known (e.g. from drawings or inference rules), the thermal transmittance is
calculated according to prEN ISO 6946:2005.
The structure of the element can be assessed by boring a small hole in it and inspecting it using an
endoscope. Material and thickness of the various layers are assessed and the thermal transmittance is
calculated according to prEN ISO 6946:2005.
If the building has a known typology, that is if the building has architecture and a building date that are similar
to other, well-known buildings, the thermal transmittance of the similar components can be taken as the
thermal transmittance of the corresponding elements of the well-known building. Lists of building typologies
prepared at a national level can provide such values.
Thermal transmittances of building elements can also be measured according to ISO 9869.

A.1.3 Assessment of thermal transmittance and total solar energy transmittance of

transparent elements
The dimensions of all components of the transparent element are measured or estimated, and the material of
the frame and the type of glazing are identified.
Common types of glazing include simple, double or triple glazing, with or without one or more infrared
radiation reflecting coatings. The glass panes could be transparent, tinted or reflecting, and the gaps between
them are filled with dry air, argon, xenon or other heavy gases. All these parameters influence both the
thermal transmittance and the total solar energy transmittance.
The type of glazing can be used to estimate its thermal transmittance and total solar energy transmittance,
either from manufacturers' data or from tables provided at national level.
The thermal transmittance of the glazing can also be measured according to ISO 9869.
The thermal transmittance of the transparent element is calculated according to EN 673. The thermal
transmittance of complete windows are calculated according to prEN ISO 10077-1:2004 or EN ISO 10077-2.
EN ISO 12567-1, EN ISO 12567-2 and EN 12412-2 can also be used for the determination of the thermal
transmittance of windows and frames by measurement.

28

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

The solar energy transmittance of glazing can be calculated according to EN 410, or measured on site using
simultaneously two radiation pyrometers, installed parallel to the window plane, one externally and one
internally, so that the external pyrometer does not shade the internal one. This is especially necessary for
atypical glazing, such as tinted or reflecting ones, when the manufacturer's data are not known.

A.1.4 Assessment of thermal characteristics of thermal bridges

Important thermal bridges shall be identified as they may significantly affect the energy balance of the building.
Thermal bridges are found by looking at building drawings, using building typologies provided at national level
or by infrared thermography according to EN 13187. Mould growth could also indicate the location of thermal
bridges.
The thermal transmittance of linear and point thermal bridges are then assessed either by calculation
according prEN ISO 10211:2005 using an appropriate computer program, or found in a thermal bridge
catalogue provided at a national level or tables of default values such as prEN ISO 14683:2005.
NOTE
In most cases, geometric thermal bridges such as corners can be neglected if external dimensions are used.
On the other hand, conductive materials interrupting the thermal insulation layer (decks, balconies) cannot be neglected,
especially when the thermal insulation layer is thicker than a few centimetres.

A.2 Thermal capacity

For calculation of annual energy use for heating according to EN ISO 13790 or prEN wi 14, a rough estimate
of the thermal capacity of the building is sufficient.
Estimate the internal mass of the building, e.g. the mass of materials that are inside the thermal insulation
layer, and multiply this mass by 1000 J/(kgK), which is a rough estimate of the heat capacity of most building
materials.
This thermal capacity can also be given at national level, based on building typology. Table A.1 may be used
where no national or regional information based on building typology is available.
Table A.1 Thermal capacity per conditioned floor area for some typical constructions
Building typology

C
kJ/(mK)

All walls, floor and ceiling of stone or concrete, no wall coverings, wooden floor, carpets, or false
500
ceiling, relatively small rooms about 20 m
The same for very large rooms

250

Rooms about 20 m, concrete floor and ceiling, hollow brick walls.

400

The same, with carpet on floor

350

The same, with carpet on floor and false ceiling

250

Rooms about 20 m with carpeted floor, false ceiling and plasterboard walls

150

Thick, massive wood

200

Frame wood construction

100

NOTE The thermal capacity, C, is normalised to conditioned floor area.

A.3 Heating systems

If sufficient detailed information on the heating system is available, the calculation of the heating system is
undertaken according to prEN wi 7 to 10. For other cases the efficiency or coefficient of performance of
systems, representing the ratio of net energy to delivered energy, and typical amounts of auxiliary energy
used by systems, can be given at national level, based on heating system typology.

29

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

NOTE
Examples of such national tables are given in prEN wi 5, Heating systems in buildings Inspection of boilers
and heating systems.

A.4 Ventilation systems

A.4.1 Assessment of airflow rates
Actual airflow rates in ventilation systems often differ from design values. They can be checked using one or
more of the following methods.
a)

Measure the pressure differentials across new filters, and determine the airflow rate from filter
characteristics.

b)

Measure the pressure differential across the fan and the speed or power use of fans, and determine the
airflow rate from fan characteristics.

c)

Perform a velocity traverse using a suitable anemometer though a section of a straight duct.

d)

Use tracer gas dilution techniques.

A.4.2 Assessment of auxiliary energy use

If sufficient detailed information on the ventilation system is available, the assessment of auxiliary energy use
is undertaken according to prEN wi 20. For other cases typical amounts of auxiliary energy used by systems,
can be given at national level, based on heating system typology.

A.5 Cooling systems

If sufficient detailed information on the cooling system is available, the calculation of the cooling system is
undertaken according to prEN wi 12. For other cases the efficiency or coefficient of performance of systems,
representing the ratio of net energy to delivered energy, and typical amounts of auxiliary energy used by
systems, can be given at national level, based on cooling system typology.

30

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Annex B
(normative)
Assessing the used amounts of energyware

B.1 Heating oil

If the boiler or the heating system is equipped with a calibrated oil flow meter, the oil use is the difference of
two readings taken at the beginning and the end of the assessment period.
If the oil burner operates at fixed power (not modulating) and equipped with a burn time counter, the oil use is
the difference of two readings taken at the beginning and the end of the assessment period, multiplied by the
oil flow rate of the burner. This oil flow rate shall be measured before the first reading and after each
adjustment or cleaning of the burner.
In other cases, the assessment of oil use is based on the measurement of the oil level in the tank, using a
calibrated scale. The oil use is then:
E0 =

content of the tank at the beginning of the assessment period

- content of the tank at the end of the assessment period
+ quantity of oil bought during the assessment period.

The energy use corresponding to the amount of oil used is obtained by multiplying this amount by the gross
calorific value of oil.

B.2 Gas
If delivered through a network, the gas use is the difference of two readings of the gas meter taken at the
beginning and the end of the assessment period.
If delivered in a liquid form in small bottles, the gas use is assessed by counting the number of used bottles. If
this number is small, the bottle used first and last in the assessment period should be weighed to assess the
remaining stock.
If delivered in a liquid form in a tank, the gas use is assessed from the measurement of the gas level in the
tank. The gas use (in liquid form) is then:
Eg =

content of the tank at the beginning of the assessment period

- content of the tank at the end of the assessment period
+ quantity of gas bought during the assessment period.

The energy use corresponding to the amount of gas used is obtained by multiplying this amount by the gross
calorific value of the type of gas used.

B.3 Electricity and district heating

The electricity use and district heating use is the difference of two readings of the meter taken at the beginning
and the end of the assessment period.
The cost of electricity may vary with time (day/night, winter/summer). In this case, it is recommended to break
down the electricity consumption between these periods.

31

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Electricity bills can be used for assessing the electricity use. In this case, use one or more full years as the
assessment period. Care should be taken in cases where such bills take account of the electricity produced
on site (e.g with photovoltaic systems or cogeneration plants).

B.4 Solid fuels

The energy content of solid fuels (coal, wood, etc,) depends on their quality and density. The most accurate
way of assessing it is to weigh the fuel. The solid fuel use is then:
Es = fuel weight in stock at the beginning of the assessment period
- fuel weight in stock at end of the assessment period
+ fuel weigh bought during the assessment period.
The energy use corresponding to the amount of fuel used is obtained by multiplying this amount by its gross
calorific value.
If volume is measured, it is multiplied by the fuel density to get the mass of solid fuel. When calculating the
confidence interval of the mass, the uncertainty of its density shall be taken into account.

B.5 Assessment of energy use from bills

If energy use cannot be metered, amounts indicated on energy invoices can be used instead. In this case, the
assessment period is that of the energy invoices, provided that they approximately cover one year.
Successive energy invoices (e.g. monthly ones) are combined to obtain a long enough assessment period.
For stored energywares, the amount in stock at the end of the assessment period shall be subtracted and the
amount in stock at the beginning of the assessment period shall be added to the amount calculated from the
bills.
Interpolation methods given in 8.2.2 can be used to make corrections if the assessment period is not exactly
one year.

B.6 Energy monitoring

Periodic measurement of energy use allows checking of variations in energy efficiency, and detecting (thus
rectifying) possible malfunctioning. It also helps in quantifying building-related properties such as effective
boiler efficiency, apparent heat loss coefficient or equivalent solar collecting area.
NOTE

32

Annex G provides some information.

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Annex C
(informative)
Conventional input data related to occupancy

prEN wi 31, Ventilation for buildings Calculation methods for the determination of airflow rates in buildings,
provides values for internal temperature, ventilation rates, and light, without telling which category applies to
which building type.
CR 1752 Ventilation for buildings: design criteria for the indoor environment, provides occupant areal density,
internal operative temperature and external air ventilation rate for various building types.
EN 13779 Ventilation for non-residential buildings Performance requirements for ventilation and roomconditioning systems provides ranges of values of airflow rates and lighting levels for various types of
buildings.
The following conventional input data can be used where no national or regional information is available to
calculate the building energy use.
Table C.1 Example of conventional input data related to occupancy

Industrial buildings

Warehouse

Swimming pool

i) Other types

Meeting halls

sports facilities

trade services

restaurants

hospitals

d
education buildings

offices

single-family
houses
apartment blocks

Building type a

Unit

Internal temperature in winter

20

20

20

20

22

20

20

18

20

18

18

28

Internal temperature in summer

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

28

Area1per person (occupancy)

60

40

20

10

30

10

20

20 100 20

m /P

Average heat flow per person

70

70

80

70

80 100 90 100 80 100 100 60

W/P

Metabolic gain per conditioned floor 1.2 1.8 4.0 7.0 2.7 20.0 9.0 5.0 16.0 5.0 1.0 3.0
1
area
Presence time per day
12 12 6
4 16 3
4
6
3
6
6
4
(monthly average)
Annual electricity use per
20 30 20 10 30 30 30 10 20 20 6 60
1
conditioned floor area

W/m

Building category

Internal part of electricity use

h
kWh/m

0,7 0,7 0,9 0,9 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,7

Outdoor airflow rate per conditioned 0,7 0,7 0,7 0,7 1,0 1,2 0,7 0,7 1,0 0,7 0,3 0,7
1
floor area
Outdoor airflow rate per person

m /(hm )

42

28

14

30

14

14

30

14 m/(hpers.)

Heat for hot water per conditioned 10

1
floor area

20

10

10

30

60

10

80

10

10

1,4

80 kWh/m

These figures, refer to the gross conditioned area, calculated with external building dimensions.

33

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

The average internal heat gains during the calculation period, Qi, can be normalised to conditioned floor area.
It can be calculated from:
Q

Qi = AC P + fE qE
AP

(C. 1)

where
AC is the conditioned floor area used for the calculations;
AP is the conditioned floor area per person (occupancy);
QP is the average heat gain per person;
qE

is the electricity use per reference floor area;

NOTE This quantity is to compute internal heat gains. It is the electricity not already taken into account for heating,
cooling or hot water.

fE

34

is the fraction of the total electricity used within the building, i.e. part of the electricity use that is
transformed into heat within the conditioned space. This factor equals one if there are no electrical
appliances outside the conditioned space.

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Annex D
(informative)
Confidence intervals
D.1 Definitions
Only conventional input data are certain or exact, by definition. The actual value of any other data is not
known, but an interval can in most cases be defined, that has a high probability (e.g. 95 % or 99 %) to contain
the actual value. This is the confidence interval.

D.2 Assessment of confidence interval

The confidence interval of a given data can be assessed in several ways:
a)

From the dispersion of several measurements of the same data. If the distribution is Gaussian, the
confidence interval of the mean value x at probability P when N measurements are performed is:

x =

s( x )
N

T ( PN 1)

(D. 1)

where s(x) is the estimate of the standard deviation of the measurements x:

(x 2i x )

sx =

(N 1)

(x 2i ) N x 2
i

(D. 2)

(N 1)

where x is the estimate of the mean.

T(P, N) is the Student coefficient for having the actual value within the confidence interval with probability
P, the number of degree of freedom being N. The values of the two-sided Student distribution are
given in the table below.
Table D.1 Two-sided confidence limits T(P, N - 2) for a Student distribution
T(P, N - 2) for probability P =
N-2

0,8

0,9

0,95

0,99

3,078

6,3138

12,706

63,657

1,886

2,9200

4,304,3=27

1,638

2,3534

3,1825

1,533

2,1318

2,7764

1,476

2,0150

1,440

9,9248
5,8409

0,995
127,32
14,089

0,999
636,619
31,598

7,4533

12,924

4,6041

5,5976

8,610

2,5706

4,0321

4,7733

6,869

1,9432

2,4469

3,7074

4,3168

5,959

1,415

1,8946

2,3646

3,4995

4,0293

5,408

1,397

1,8595

2,3060

3,3554

3,8325

5,041

1,383

1,8331

2,2622

3,2498

3,6897

4,781

10

1,372

1,8125

2,2281

3,1693

3,5814

4,5787

1,2858

1,6525

1,9719

2,6006

2,8386

3,3400

b) By assessing it from experience, common knowledge, accuracy of the used measuring instruments, etc.

35

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

c) By combining the confidence intervals of the variables xi used to calculate the data of interest, y.
Assuming that the measurements are affected by random and independent errors, the confidence interval
of any result, y, is:

[ y y; y + y ]

with

y =

x
i

(xi )2

(D.3)

where
is for all variables on which y depends;

xi

xi is for the confidence interval of the variable xi.

d) The confidence interval of a calculated result can also be obtained using the Monte-Carlo method. For this,
run the calculation model used for calculations many times, changing at each run all the variables at
random, according to statistical distributions of each variable. Sort the results in classes in order to get its
distribution. After 100 to 1000 runs (depending on the complexity and sensitivity of the calculation model),
a good estimate of the statistical distribution of the results is obtained (Figure D.1 ).

D.3 Examples
D.3.1 General
In a building, measured annual energy uses for successive years are 251; 267; 245; 274 GJ. Since these are
corrected for climatic data, the remaining variations from year to year are assumed to result from random-like
causes. The average energy use is then 259 GJ with a standard deviation of 14 GJ. Since there are four
measured data, the 95 % confidence interval of the mean is 14*T(0,95, 4-2)/2 = 14*4,3/2 = 30. A good
estimate of the annual energy use is then 260 30 GJ.
If a scale graduated in millimetre is used to make measurements of length, then a confidence interval of about
1 mm should be given to each measurement of length.
Applying Equation (D.3) for two simple examples gives:
if y =

(ai xi2 ) where a are coefficients, then y = (ai2xi2 + xi2ai2 )

i

Or if y = ax then

(D.4)

y
a
x
= +
y
a

x

(D.5)

D.3.2 Indications on confidence intervals

Table D.2 gives indications on typical absolute or relative standard deviations of several variables used in
building calculation models and on the nearest type of statistical distribution.
The relative standard deviation is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean value. It is given in percent.

36

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Table D.2 Standard deviations and distribution type approximately sorted by order of importance
for residential buildings
Standard deviation
Asset
rating

Tailored
rating

Airflow rate from infiltration

0%

50 %

log normal

Airflow rate from ventilation system

0%

10 %

log normal

Area

2%

2%

log normal

Thermal transmittance (U-value)

10 %

10 %

log normal

System efficiency

5%

5%

log normal for x and 1-x

1K

normal distribution

Utilisation time

0%

25 %

log normal

Volume

3%

3%

log normal

Depth, height

1%

1%

log normal

Electricity use (recovered as internal heat gains)

0%

10 %

log normal

Frame factor (fraction of frame area in a window)

5%

5%

log normal for x and 1-x

Length

1%

1%

log normal

Linear thermal transmittance ()

10 %

10 %

log normal

Number of occupants

0%

10 %

log normal

Shaded fraction, shading factor

5%

5%

log normal for x and 1-x

Thickness

5%

5%

log normal

Absorption coefficient

5%

5%

log normal for x and 1-x

Emissivity

5%

5%

log normal for x and 1-x

Heating power increase per degree external

temperature decrease

20 %

20 %

log normal

Orientation (of collecting area for solar radiation)

normal distribution

Perimeter

2%

2%

log normal

25 %

25 %

Variable

Internal temperature

Slope (of collecting area for solar radiation)

Thermal capacity

Distribution

normal distribution
log normal

The energy use was calculated with EN ISO 13790 using the Monte-Carlo method and standard deviations of Table D.2,
for a tailored rating. The line is the standardised cumulative distribution.

Figure D.1 Example of the distribution of heating energy use of a low-energy single family house

37

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Annex E
(informative)
Other uses of energy

E.1 General
In order to compare the calculated rating with the operational rating for the purposes of validation, the
amounts of energywares used for other purposes than heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water or lighting are
added to the tailored rating. If these are not metered separately, they are estimated.
Figures for this estimation are best provided at the national level. When no information is available, the
information given in this annex can be used. Since these values strongly depend on the behaviour of the
occupants, the confidence intervals of these values are rather large, say 50 %.

E.2 Residential buildings

Table E.1 Annual use of electricity in dwellings with energy efficient equipment
Number of rooms
Number of occupants

1
1

Refrigerator
Freezer
Dishwasher
Oven
Washing machine
Dryer
Cooker
Other equipment
Total in kWh
Floor area
2
Total in kWh/m

2
1,5

250
0
110
30
70
130
220
130
940
40
24

250
0
150
40
100
200
240
150
1130
60
19

3
2

4
3

5
4

6
5

270
0
210
80
130
260
260
180
1390
80
17

270
0
260
80
200
390
300
220
1720
110
16

170
200
320
80
270
525
340
270
2175
140
16

170
200
330
80
330
660
380
290
2440
170
14

E.3 Office buildings

When no other information is available, the following equipment can be assumed in office buildings: 1 PC with
flat screen and 1 telephone per work place; 1 printer per 10 work places, and, per office room, 1 telefax,
1 photocopier, 1 scanner and 1 coffee machine. The table below is calculated with this equipment.
Table E.2 Annual use of electricity for office equipment per work place in kWh and per conditioned
2
area in kWh/m
Per work
place

Floor area per person

With energy efficient equipment
With typical equipment

38

120
230

Per m conditioned area

10 m
12
23

15 m
8
15

20 m
6
12

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Annex F
(informative)
Calorific values of fuels

F.1 General
The energy use during a specific time period is calculated by multiplying the consumed amount of energyware,
E, by the gross calorific value, GCV:

Qi = Ei GCVi

(F.1)

The calorific value is the quantity of heat produced by complete combustion, at a constant pressure equal to
101 320 Pa, of a unit amount of fuel The gross calorific value includes the heat recovered when condensing
the water vapour resulting from the combustion of hydrogen. The net calorific value does not take account of
this latent heat.
In order to get Qi in appropriate units (kWh or J), the units of GCVi must be consistent with the units in which Ei
is expressed.
The calorific values depend on the precise composition of the fuel, most of them being mixes of pure
chemicals. Indicative values are given in this annex.

F.2 Solid and liquid energywares4

For solid and liquid energywares, the calorific values (in MJ/kg) can be calculated using the following formula
(Brandt 1981). The input is given as the mass of the energyware:
Gross calorific value: GCV = 34,8*c + 93,8*h + 10,46*s + 6,28*n 10,8*o
where
c

is the carbon content, in kg/kg;

is the hydrogen content, in kg/kg;

is the sulphur content, in kg/kg;

is the nitrogen content, in kg/kg;

is the oxygen content, in kg/kg;

Net calorific value: NCV = GCV 2,5*w

where w is the water content of the combustion products, in kg/kg.
The last term in the formula is the energy that can be recovered by condensing the water vapour resulting
from combustion of hydrogen.

4 From http://www.oeko.de/service/em/docu/model/emmo0003.htm

39

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Table F.1 Gross calorific value of some common solid fuels

Gross calorific value

GCV
MJ/kg

Fuel

Anthracite

32 34

Bituminous coal

1725

Charcoal

29,6

Coke

28 31

Lignite

14 - 16

Peat

13 20

Wood (dry)

14 17

Table F.2 Gross calorific value of some common liquid fuels

New Zealand Ministry of Commerce 1999

Fuel

Density

kg/l
Gas naphtha

Gross calorific value

GCV
MJ/kg
MJ/l
kWh/kg
kWh/l

0,65

48,2

31,3

13,4

8,7

Light distillate feedstock

0,66

48,1

31,8

13,4

8,8

Natural gasoline

0,67

48,3

32,3

13,4

9,0

Regular unleaded gasoline

0,74

47,0

34,8

13,1

9,7

Premium unleaded gasoline

0,76

47,0

35,5

13,1

9,9

Lighting kerosene

0,79

46,4

36,6

12,9

10,2

Aviation gasoline

0,79

47,3

37,6

13,1

10,4

Aviation kerosene

0,80

46,4

36,9

12,9

10,2

Automotive gas oil

0,82

46,0

37,8

12,8

10,5

Blended heating oil

0,82

46,4

38,2

12,9

10,6

Marine diesel oil

0,85

45,6

38,6

12,7

10,7

Power station fuel oil

0,89

45,0

40,0

12,5

11,1

0,92

44,5

41,0

12,4

11,4

0,93

44,3

41,2

12,3

11,4

Export fuel oil

0,94

44,2

41,5

12,3

11,5

Heavy fuel oil

0,95

44,1

41,6

12,2

11,6

Heavy bunker fuel

1,00

43,2

43,0

12,0

11,9

80 propane:20 butane

0,52

49,8

26,1

13,8

7,3

70 propane:30 butane

0,53

49,8

26,4

13,8

7,3

60 propane:40 butane

0,53

49,7

26,5

13,8

7,4

50 propane:50 butane

0,55

49,6

27,0

13,8

7,5

Commercial propane

0,51

50,0

25,5

13,9

7,1

Light fuel oil

Light bunker fuel

Liquid petroleum gas

Confidence interval is about 0,5 MJ/kg or MJ/l and 0,2 kWh/kg or kWh/l of fuel.

40

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

F.3 Gaseous Fuels

See ISO 6976, Natural gas Calculation of calorific values, density, relative density and Wobbe index from
composition.
If the gaseous energyware amount is given in normal cubic metre (at 0 C and 101,3 kPa), the following
factors can be used. The confidence interval for the pure gases is smaller than 0,1 MJ/m.
Table F.3 Gross calorific values of some pure gaseous energywares
Gas

Acetylene
Butene
Carbon monoxide
Ethane
Ethylene
Hydrogen
Iso Butane
Methane
n-Butane
Propane
Propylene

Chemical
formula

MJ/m

kWh/m

C2H2
C4H8
CO
C2H6
C2H4
H2
iC4H10
CH4
nC4H10
C3H8
C3H6

58,5
125,9
12,6
70,3
63,4
127,5
133,3
39,8
134,1
101,2
93,6

16,2
35,0
3,5
19,5
17,6
35,4
37,0
11,1
37,3
28,1
26,0

GCV

Table F.4 Gross calorific values of some common gaseous energywares

Energyware

Unit of
supply

Natural gas

43 1

12,0 0,3

Liquid gas (propane-butane)

kg

49,8 0,2

14,0 0,1

Gross calorific value

per unit of supply
MJ
kWh

The actual calorific power of common fuel gases depend on their chemical composition. If this is known, the
figure can be more accurate that those given in the table.

41

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Annex G
(informative)
Energy monitoring

G.1 Energy signature

Heating energy use is correlated to climatic data over a suitable period. Plotting for several time periods the
average heating or cooling power versus average external temperature allows a fast detection of malfunctions
and provides useful information on the building energy performance. This monitoring method assumes
constant internal temperature, and that external temperature is the most influential parameter. It is useful in
buildings with stable internal gains and relatively low passive solar gains.
Energy use for heating and cooling, as well as average external temperature or accumulated temperature
difference is recorded at regular intervals. These intervals can be as small as one hour , but for manual
monitoring, a week is often used. The average external temperature can also be obtained from a neighbouring
meteorological station. Average power is obtained by dividing the energy use by the duration of the time
interval between successive records.
The average power is plotted versus the average external temperature or degree-days. For the heating
season, a diagram as shown in Figure G.1 is obtained. Lines are drawn through the dots measured during
the heating season (heating on, cooling off), the cooling season (cooling on, heating off) and intermediate
season (both off) using a linear regression (see Figure G.1 ).

Key
H
P
P0
Pb

L
e

slope
average power between two successive records
power at 0 C
base power, not dependant on external temperature (e.g. for system loss and hot water)
heating limit external temperature
external average temperature between two successive records

Figure G.1 Energy signature, principle

The line drawn outside the heating (or cooling) season has in general a nearly-zero slope and represents the
system loss and energy for uses other than heating and cooling (e.g. hot water).

42

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

The line drawn during the heating (or cooling) season is characterised by a power P0 at 0 C and a slope H:
P = P0 H e

(G.1)

where
P

is the average power;

is the average external temperature.

The slope reflects the sensitivity of the building to changes in external temperature. The above equation can
be compared to the global, simplified average energy balance of the building:

P = H ' i e + Pa Ae I S

(G.2)

where
H'

is the heat transfer coefficient of the building;

is the average internal temperature;

Pa

includes system loss and average power for uses other than heating.

As a first approximation, this power does not depend on external temperature, and, if the pattern of use of the
building is constant, this power can be assumed to be the average power measured during the intermediate
season. Ae is the equivalent solar collecting area multiplied by the utilisation factor and IS is the density of
solar radiation.
Comparing equations (G.1)and (G.2), we get H' = H and:
P0 = H i + Pa - Ae IS

(G.3)

Seasonal energy use for heating can be estimated from P0 and H, the seasonal average of the external
temperature e and the duration t of the heating season:

Qh = P0 H e t

(G.4)

This estimate can be obtained without waiting for the whole heating season. However a large range of
external temperatures is necessary to obtain a good accuracy for H and P0.
An estimate of the confidence interval of the energy use for heating is calculated by:

Qh = t 2P02 + e2 t 2H 2 + t 2 H 2 e2 + (P0 H e )2 t 2

(G.5)

The dispersion of the individual measurements above or below the line characterising the signature can result
from several causes:
a)

Variable solar or internal gains (which makes this method not suitable for buildings with large passive
solar gains);

b)

Varying heat transfer coefficients, e.g. resulting from the effect of wind on a permeable building envelope;
malfunctioning of the heating or cooling system.

The analysis of possible explanations to significant differences between a particular record and the line allows
detection of system malfunctions.

43

prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

G.2 H-m method

In passive solar buildings, the dispersion of the points around the line becomes important and the method
described above does not apply well. Dividing the global heat balance by = ( i e ) results in an
expression for an apparent heat loss coefficient of the building:
H =

P Pa
I
= H 0 Ae S = H 0 Ae m

(G.6)

where m is a "meteorological" variable. The slope of the regression line is the equivalent solar collecting area
multiplied by the utilisation factor, and the ordinate at origin is the effective heat loss coefficient.

Key
H

apparent heat loss coefficient of the building

meteorological variable, which is the ratio of the solar irradiance to the internal-external temperature difference

The line a is that of a highly glazed buildings with large losses and large gains, better performing in mild climates, and line
b is for a well insulated building with relatively small passive solar gains, better in Nordic climates.

Figure G.2 Principle of the H-m method

44

prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Annex H
(informative)
List of possible measures for reducing energy use

H.1 General
Retrofit measures depend on the type of building and its construction, local habits, etc. The items given in this
annex are examples and are not exhaustive.

H.2 Warning
Before applying any improvement measure, care should be taken to possible interactions between measures.
Some examples are:
a)

Improving envelope air tightness might require adding purpose ventilation openings;

b)

Reducing the heating demand also requires reducing the power of the heating plant; otherwise its
efficiency could decrease significantly;

c)

Replacing single glazing by multiple glazing suppresses condensation on windows, but therefore
increases internal air humidity, thus possibly increasing mould growth risk at poorly insulated envelope
components and thermal bridges;

d)

Additional internal thermal insulation could increase the risk of internal condensation and mould growth.

Therefore, it is recommended to plan packages of coherent improvements. The way of packing improvement
measures depends on conditions related to the specific building, its pattern of use, and the external climate.
Therefore, only individual measures rather than recommended packages are listed below.

H.3 Building management

Check set point temperatures; set them as close as possible to external temperature and adapt set point
temperatures to each room.
Check the controls of heating and cooling systems so that the systems do not function simultaneously.
Implement night temperature set back or set down.
Control airing: do not over- or under-ventilate.
Close shutters or blinds at night in winter, use mobile solar protections during the day in summer.
In summer, large night ventilation cools down the building fabric, thus keeping the internal climate at lower
temperature, especially if solar gains and ventilation are reduced during the day.
Save water: repair leaky taps, install economy shower heads, etc.
Shut down heating (or cooling) in spaces that should not be heated (or cooled).
Clean heating plant room regularly.
Implement the maintenance schedules for burners, boilers, HVAC units, etc.

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prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Record regularly (weekly interval is recommended) the energy use for all fuels. Drawing the weekly average
heating and cooling power versus average external temperature helps in detecting malfunctions (see
Annex G).
Inform tenants regularly on energy use and possible energy saving measures.

H.4 Building envelope

Check existing thermal insulation. Replace wet insulation material, protect insulation layers where necessary.

H.4.1 External walls

Roughcast external insulation: Use only light colours for finishing. Once set, the external thermal insulation
should not be penetrated. Use only tried and tested products and methods.
Ventilated faade: Joints and openings shall be finished before setting the insulation. Use only fireproof
materials.
Thermal insulating finishing: Ensure that the existing finishing is good enough to secure the new layers.
Injection of thermal insulating layer into a hollow wall: Take care of possible internal condensation
problems. Some foams (PUR) expand and may destroy the wall if not injected with care.
Added insulation inside: take care of possible condensation problems and thermal bridges.

Add thermal insulation to walls between conditioned and unconditioned spaces, preferably on the cold side.
Add thermal insulation to walls under ground, preferably externally (between wall and ground) and down to at
least 1 m. In this case, drain the ground at the bottom on the insulated part.
Add thermal insulating layer behind heaters, if the thermal insulation of the wall is not sufficient.
Install movable, external solar protections where they are not present.

H.4.2 Roofs
Check air tightness of the roof if above a conditioned space. Weather-strip the joints.
If the tiles or the watertight should be renewed, add external insulation under it. If not, add thermal insulation
between rafters or under them. In this case take care of possible condensation problems and thermal bridges.
On flat roof, inverted insulation (extruded polystyrene) can easily be added if the watertight layer is in good
shape. Otherwise, increase the thickness of thermal insulation layer when renewing the watertight layer.

H.4.3 Floors
Add thermal insulation on the floor of unheated attic.
Add thermal insulation under the floors situated above external or unconditioned spaces.

H.4.4 External openings (doors, windows, etc.)

Check air tightness. Repair leaky joints and broken glazing. Repair doors and windows that can no more be
well closed.
If the envelope is made airtight (recommended to ensure appropriate ventilation control), check that there is a
way to ventilate the internal space (ventilation openings, ventilation system).

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prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Change old window frames for frames with a better thermal insulation (wood, metal with thermal breaks,
plastic).
Change glazed units to ones with better thermal properties (e.g. double glazing with low emissivity coating
and heavy gas filling). An alternative is to add a second glazing to the existing one.
In cold or windy climate, add an airlock to the entrance door.
Install external and mobile solar protections.

H.4.5 Heating system

Ensure seasonal maintenance of burners, furnaces, boilers, and chimneys. Periodically check fuel-air mixture
for optimal efficiency.
Reduce the set-point temperature of the water in the boiler as much as possible. The lowest possible
temperature depends on the heating demand and on the materials used for the boiler (corrosion).
Shut down the boiler when not in use (e.g. in summer if not used for hot water heating).
Check the temperature of fumes. It should be as low as possible but high enough to avoid corrosion. The
lowest possible temperature depends on the materials used for furnace and chimney.
Check if the burner is adapted to the furnace. If not, change as appropriate.
Compare the power of the burner-boiler with actual needs at design external temperature. If this power is too
large, reduce it by changing the power of the burner (new jet) or the whole burner-furnace unit.
Add thermal insulation to the boiler envelope.
Adjust the air inlet to the boiler room to the minimum necessary: (about 60 cm per kW burner power).
Adapt the flue diameter to the boiler power. If necessary, add an inner stainless steel duct.
Shut down circulating pumps when heat is not demanded.
Use renewable energy. In many European climates, solar water heaters are cost-efficient.
Improve control system; add thermostatic valves or thermostats, especially in spaces heated by other sources
than the heating system.
Check the balance of the heat distribution network.
Check if circulating pumps are well sized. If oversized, change them for a proper size.
Improve the efficiency of radiators; avoid curtains or boxes around them. Purge periodically the air and mud
that accumulate in the radiator.
Add thermal insulation around heat distribution ducts
Replace all undersized radiators, thus allowing a lower heating water temperature.
Divide the building into sectors for heating and cooling, separating those having different needs and putting
together those having similar needs (e.g. the apart of the building that is exposed to sun and the other).

H.4.6 Cooling systems

Ensure seasonal maintenance of the chiller.
Increase the set-point temperature of the chilled water as much as possible.

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prEN 15203 :2005 (E)

Compare the power of the chiller with actual needs at design external temperature. If this power is too large,
reduce it when replacing the unit.
Shut down circulating pumps when cold is not demanded.
Check the balance of the chilled water distribution network.
Check if circulating pumps are well sized. If oversized, change them for a proper size.
Add thermal insulation around distribution ducts and valves
Replace all undersized heat exchangers, thus allowing a better exchange efficiency

H.4.7 Air handling units

Switch it down when not necessary. Reduce airflow rate at the necessary level. If the airflow need vary with
time, install a clock or demand control ventilation.
Check the air tightness of ducts. Seal leaks.
Install variable speed fans.
Divide the building into sectors for ventilation, separating those having different needs and putting together
those having similar needs.
Ensure the periodical maintenance.
Install heat recovery wherever possible.
Disconnect (or do not install) air humidification where and when possible.
As far as possible, do not use air to transport heat. Use water radiators for heating, and radiant panels for
heating and cooling.
Reduce the pressure drop in the air distribution network (larger and shorter ducts, proper sizing to avoid
dampers, adapted grilles, etc.)

H.4.8 Hot water

Check hot water temperature. It should be between 55 C and 60 C. 50 C is high enough for most uses, but
not legionella-safe.
Shut down hot water circulation when hot water is not necessary.
Check the power of the circulating pump, and change it if oversized.
Disconnect unused hot water taps and pipes leading to them
Add thermal insulation to hot water pipes, especially those that are always hot.
Detect and seal all leaks, including leaky taps.
Scale regularly hot water boiler, or install a water softener where the water is hard.
In summer, do not use the space-heating boiler to heat the water.
Install a solar water heater.
Replace separate cold and hot water taps by mixing valves

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prEN 15203:2005 (E)

Replace or renew old mixing valves

Install individual hot water metering in multi-family housing.

H.4.9 Lighting
Use light colours, preferably white for internal paintings and finishing
Replace tinted or reflecting glazing by white glazing and moveable, external solar protections.
Replace incandescent light bulbs by fluorescent or other, more efficient ones.
Use direct instead of indirect lighting.
Replace old luminaries (which often hide the light source) by high efficiency ones (those which send the light
form the source to the place to lit).
Install presence sensing switches in corridors, staircases and other places where people just pass.
Install smart light control in office rooms, which adapt artificial lighting level to daylighting and needs of
occupants.

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