Beyond efficiency: Evaluation of the electricity saving potential of green residential buildings

While green building standards are widely promoted for their energy-saving potential, limited research has explored their actual impact on electricity consumption in residential buildings. This study addresses this gap, comparing certified green buildings to standard ones using a multifaceted approach that combines high-frequency smart meter data with comprehensive socio-demographic data and detailed descriptions of building properties. Metrics investigated included total household consumption, energy use intensity (EUI), and per capita consumption, in each case differentiating between overall appliance use and dedicated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) consumption. While green buildings achieved a 16% reduction in EUI for HVAC compared to standard buildings and thus lowered peak electricity demand, total annual household electricity consumption remained similar. The variance in electricity consumption among households in the sample indicates that occupant behaviour is a significant factor. Counter-intuitively, the research found that occupants of green buildings did not exhibit greater environmental awareness or report more energy-efficient appliance use habits compared to those in standard buildings. It also highlights limitations of EUI as the primary metric for ’efficiency’, rather than total consumption. Furthermore, because consumption is normalized by floor area, this metric may in fact inadvertently incentivize larger apartments that might require even more energy overall. These findings demonstrate the need for a modified area-normalized EUI target incorporated in the building codes as well as a more comprehensive approach to develop complementary policy measures.