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Renovation rate as a tool towards achieving SDGs 11 and 13 Hasselt University
The building stock being a huge energy consumer, is an important sector for SDG 11 on sustainable cities and SDG 13 on climate action. Therefore, retrofitting the existing buildings is a priority for most EU countries. Long term goals for the energy performance of buildings are premised. However, to be able to monitor the progress and feasibility to achieve the goals in 2050, knowledge of the actual renovation rate is indispensable. Since years ...
Upgrading the energy label for dwellings in Flanders: an example of a behaviourally informed policy tool Hasselt University
The energy performance certificate (EPC) is mandatory in the EU, aiming to enable prospective buyers and renters to compare dwellings in terms of energy performance. Flanders intends to improve its current EPC, by adding a label to the existing coloured scale and EPC score. Our research aimed to inform the Flemish Energy Agency by testing before releasing the new version of the certificate, thus being an example of behaviourally informed ...
Sensitivity Analysis of Passive Design Strategies for Residential Buildings in Cold Semi-Arid Climates Hasselt University
Buildings are significant drivers of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Improving the thermal comfort of occupants in free-running buildings and avoiding active and fossil fuel-based systems is the main challenge in many cities worldwide. However, the impacts of passive design measures on thermal comfort in cold semi-arid regions are seldom studied. With the rapid urbanization and the widespread use of personalised heating and ...
CHALLENGING THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES – RE-HUMANISING DECISION MAKING Hasselt University
Mainstream policies regarding energy efficiency are based on the assumptions of traditional economic models of rational choice and ignore findings from behavioural economics such as cognitive limitations, self-control problems and social preferences. On the other hand, behaviourally-informed (BI) policies that take into account these limitations have a reductive perspective focusing exclusively on nudging. Over 196 behavioural insights units and ...
Potential of spatial use patterns for developing localized conditioning systems to reduce energy consumption Hasselt University
In this paper, the spatial use of three underused semi-detached dwellings in Belgium is discussed. The exact user patterns of residents within rooms have been monitored during one week. In the analysis, a distinction has been made between spaces where people move through and have a higher metabolic rate and places where residents stay or sit for a longer time. The analysis shows that residents use some of the rooms only partially and others only ...
Designing for the future? Integrating energy efficiency and universal design in Belgian passive houses Hasselt University KU Leuven
Energy efficiency and universal design in housing are high on policy and research agendas. Although in both domains there are policies and programs which aim to convince homeowners to adopt energy efficiency measures or universal design, they have had limited results and rarely take into account the impact on the other domain. Better integration could lead to more sustainable and appealing housing concepts to emerge, resulting in more effective ...
Analysis of accurate spatial use patterns within rooms for optimizing heating systems Hasselt University
Dwellings in Belgium are comparatively larger than in other European countries and their size is often not in line with the actual occupancy rate. In view of the impact of occupant presence and behavior on the actual energy consumption, knowledge of the effective spatial use is useful to develop more efficient and effective heating systems. This paper discusses the spatial use of three single family houses. The exact use patterns of the ...
Outcomes of a Student Research Project on Circular Building Systems – Focus on the Educational Aspect Hasselt University
The growing need to shift from a linear to a circular economy has inspired producers of building materials and systems to innovate their products to match the requirements of a future circular economy. Others have been developing modular systems in the past to simplify the building process and are now reconsidering these products for their potential in a circular economy. However, at this early stage on the road towards a circular economy, ...
Betaalbaarheid en haalbaarheid van duurzaam wonen voor kwetsbare groepen Hasselt University
Duurzaam wonen voor kwetsbare groepen is een veelomvattend thema. Het raakt zowel aan het debat over de betekenis van duurzaamheid, als aan thema’s zoals het recht op kwaliteitsvol wonen of de wenselijkheid van beleidsondersteuning voor huurders versus verhuurders en sociale versus private huisvesting. Eerder onderzoek wees uit dat mensen in armoede vaker in woningen van ontoereikende kwaliteit wonen, de middelen (of de mogelijkheid) niet hebben ...