Building performance evaluation in domestic buildings
In December 2016, BSRIA published a new Building Performance Evaluation in Domestic Buildings Guide (BG64/2016).
BSRIA claim the industry is still ‘missing the mark’ on developing efficient homes and other residential buildings, despite the best of intentions, with an increasing body of recent academic and industry research revealing that they do not always perform in the way that was originally intended.
Building performance evaluation (BPE) is the process of evaluating how a building performs in use, and can be carried out on both new and existing buildings. It attempts to identify energy inefficiencies and occupant dissatisfaction that result from not performing in accordance with design intentions.
The guide is intended to support the industry by explaining how to use BPE to understand how homes and other residential buildings are performing, and to investigate and address any issues.
It serves as a general introduction to BPE, explaining why it is important, how it can be carried out, and how people can benefit from it, and is aimed at clients, designers, developers, contractors, housing associations and social landlords.
Dr Michelle Agha-Hossein, BSRIA’s Sustainability Consultant, said:
“This guide explains how BPE should be carried out and what activities and methods can be used on projects to address issues related to energy efficiency and occupant comfort. If you are to deliver an efficient and healthy building, we recommend that you to get your copy.”
You can download or purchase the guide at BSRIA Bookshop.
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building performance evaluation BPE.
- Building performance evaluation in non-domestic buildings guide – an introduction to the tests and methods in non-domestic buildings.
- Building performance metrics.
- Domestic building.
- Extended aftercare.
- Handover to client.
- Lessons learned report.
- Maintenance.
- Performance in use.
Featured articles and news
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.