Energy Performance Certificate of buildings as a tool for sustainability of energy and environment in Ghana

Abstract

Proper management of the built environment is a key tool in achieving environmental sustainability. The world today is challenged with a lot of activities that have adverse effect on the environment and if not managed well, the world will become uninhabitable. The European Union (EU) in 2008 instituted the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for buildings to bring about energy efficiency and reduce CO₂emissions from buildings on sale and on rent. This has brought about significant reduction in energy use in Europe. This research analysed the viability of EPC usage in the residential estate markets in Ghana using a case study building. It was realised that the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) used in the UK was not applicable due to differences in conditions pertaining to the built environment. A customised procedure named Building Energy Assessment Procedure (BEAP) was therefore developed specifically for this research.