Assessment of building performance in use: 3 Energy performance of the Probe buildings

This paper reviews the energy performance of the sixteen Probe buildings,which are summarised in Table 1 and discussed in more detail in [Bordass et al, 2000]. The methods used are detailed elsewhere [Cohen et al, 2000], as are the buildings themselves It is often claimed that new buildings are but a drop in the ocean, with annual output representing no more than 1% of the total stock. However, in the next century major improvements in building energy performance will be essential: if our new buildings become part of the problem and not the solution, this will be a massive lost opportunity, particularly as many improvements can be made with relative ease. Furthermore, many of the energy issues exposed in Probe are equally applicable to the alteration, refurbishment and management of existing buildings; and to the equipment used in them.