Accuracy of the Portuguese EPBD implemented thermal performance calculation procedures: RCCTE

The driving force of the thermal regulations revision in the European Union (EU) was the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – EPBD (European Commission, 2003). The main objectives of the EPBD are the harmonization of all thermal regulations in the EU and the optimization of buildings energy performance, taking into account the climatic conditions, interior comfort conditions of the occupants and economic viability, for both new and existing buildings. In order to be efficient and effective, the thermal regulations must accurately estimate the energy performance of buildings and so, the building certification will allow comparisons of the results obtained in the different climates to be more meaningful. Having this fact in mind the Portuguese calculation methodology will be put side by side with a dynamic simulation for the energy performance estimation. This study was based on the heating and cooling needs estimation of single houses and dwellings, for the three major Portuguese thermal regions, using the simplified calculation models established in the Portuguese thermal regulation and the results obtained with a dynamic simulation tool.