Bringing post-occupancy evaluation up front to enhance energy efficiency in residential buildings

Abstract

While previous research has shown the potential benefits of conducting post-occupancy evaluations (POE) to close operational performance gaps, ensuring residential buildings perform as designed still presents significant challenges. This study, through a systematic literature review, aims to address this challenge by investigating common methods and barriers to undertake POE in residential buildings, identifying the most common related performance gaps. Results showed the current static building industry with a lack of standardized practices and continuous data collection as the main barriers to undertake POE in residential buildings. Main performance gaps were related to lack of know-how, evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder engagement and user-centric approach. While data collection and building user engagement are often carried out during POE, considering them at the design phase and all through the implementation process plays a major role in achieving optimal building performance. Findings show that performance gaps are not only related to technical defects or occupant behaviour but also to decision-making and engagement practices at early phases. Ultimately, this study shows the need to change the current static, linear culture of design and implementation in residential building projects towards a dynamic, feedback-loop approach by proposing key considerations to address the most common performance gaps and promote more energy-efficiency residential buildings. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.