Performance Gap – The High Cost of Low HVAC Performance

The high cost of low HVAC performance

New and refurbished non-domestic buildings are failing to live up to their anticipated performance. Shortcomings show higher than expected energy consumption, high CO2 emissions, and under-performance in other areas, including thermal comfort. Meanwhile, the need to solve the challenges of high energy costs and heat decarbonisation are increasingly urgent priorities for both public and private sector building owners and operators.

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So, how can you overcome your building installations failing to live up to their anticipated performance?

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This webinar will explore

• The reasons Performance Gaps exist and the specific impact caused by heating and cooling systems
• Why the hidden and avoidable costs of under-performing HVAC installations are much higher than you think
• How HVAC system performance gaps caused by disconnects in design, installation and operation of existing, refurbished and new installations can be avoided

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The HVAC Performance Gap

Building energy performance gaps are a well-known phenomenon and are caused by a range of factors. But with heating and cooling representing 70% of building energy consumption and 40-50% of energy cost and CO2 emissions, the impact of correctly performing HVAC installations is critical.

Evidence from studies of over 400 installations, including hospitals, universities, office buildings other non-residential buildings reveal that 95% performed sub-optimally – meaning they cost more to run and produce higher CO2 emissions than necessary. Even in new and recently upgraded systems, significant opportunities to optimise performance are being missed.

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Bridging the Performance Gap: Examining the True Cost of HVAC Performance Gaps

The cost of HVAC system Performance Gaps is only exacerbated by the recent record increase in gas prices. Since the global energy cost spike in 2022, many organisations are expecting their energy expenditure to double when their current fixed-price purchase agreements end, leading to unnecessary and avoidable extra heating costs that can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions per year.

Meanwhile, decarbonising heat is identified by many as a particular challenge, especially for complex installations such as university or hospital campuses, district heat networks, or older/historic buildings.

Technologies such as heat pumps are not a like-for-like replacement for gas boilers, often leading to installations that:

• are sized significantly larger than needed, requiring a higher upfront capital budget.
• under-deliver against predicted carbon saving expectations.
• result in unanticipated consequences, such as increased operational energy costs.