Presented by Building to Zero Exchange (BTZx)
Energy modellers, architects, engineers, and building operators commonly face the challenge known as the performance gap — a significant mismatch between predicted and actual energy use in buildings. This gap can stem from differences in design assumptions, construction practices, system performance, or real-world occupant behavior. This discrepancy was highlighted prominently in our recent Action Accelerator event, raising concerns about the credibility of high-performance building claims and undermining confidence among industry stakeholders.
This webinar aims to:
- Explore practical strategies to close the performance gap by aligning energy models with actual building operations.
- Learn to calibrate models using post-occupancy data and incorporate realistic occupant behavior and operating schedules.
- Ensure design assumptions are consistently applied from design through construction and into operations.
- Gain insights from real-world examples, including commissioning feedback loops and monitoring technologies.
- Discover proven methods to validate and improve model accuracy to deliver buildings that truly perform as designed.
What to Expect:
A 45-minute presentation on strategies and real-world case studies, followed by a 30-minute interactive panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Understand common causes of the performance gap
- Learn to calibrate energy models using post-occupancy and metered data
- Incorporate occupant behavior and realistic operational schedules
- Use commissioning and monitoring to verify and refine performance
About the Presenter
Dr. Liam O’Brien, Professor - Carleton University
Dr. Liam O’Brien is a Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University and principal investigator of the Human Building Interaction Lab. With a team of 15 researchers from engineering, architecture, and design backgrounds, Dr. O’Brien has led more than $8 million in research focused on occupant-centric design for high-performance buildings.
He has authored over 250 publications and three books and currently serves as Operating Agent for the International Energy Agency's Annex 95, Human-centric buildings for a changing climate. He is also the past president of the Canadian chapter of the International Building Performance Simulation Association.