European project HOPE (Health Optimization Protocol for Energy-efficient Buildings)

Abstract

In January 2002, a new European project named HOPE (Health Optimization Protocol for Energy-efficient Buildings) started with 14 participants from nine European countries. The final goal of the project is to provide the means to increase the number of energy-efficient buildings, i.e. buildings that are at the same time healthy and low energy users. Reducing energy use by buildings also reduces CO2 emissions from primary energy used for ventilation, heating and humidity control. The outcome of the project will comprise a methodology for assessing the performance of buildings according to a set of integrated health–energy criteria, to improve unhealthy or energy inefficient buildings. This paper presents the current status of this three-year European project, covering a provisional set of performance criteria, based on available knowledge and a description of tools used to test these criteria in a multidisciplinary study in 180 office buildings and multi-apartment buildings