Energy efficiency of existing buildings with examples from the Gothenburg area

This thesis concerns to investigate renovations of existing buildings aiming at enabling energy efficiency, from a conservation and restoration perspective. This includes performing case studies of three projects in the Gothenburg area where renovations has been done and an analysis of directives raised by the EU and later implemented by the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, Boverket. In addition to these, regulations enforced by the Swedish law, related to the topic, have been considered. The investigated projects in this case were the housing cooperative Välten in Brämaregården, the Solar Buildings in Järnbrott and Gårdsten as well as Katjas Gata 119 at Backa Röd. In order to measure and compare the results of these projects a comparison between the pre- and post-restoration energy consumption have been performed. To capture additional perspectives the grading system Operation Kungsörn has been applied. Regarding the comparison of energy consumption the renovation of Katjas Gata 119 was found preferable but showed in my view lacking attention to the cultural heritage of the area. From an “Operation Kungsörn-perspective” the renovation of Välten is to prefer, since the cultural heritage aspect is in focus in this case. If one aggregates the energy efficiency- and Operation Kungsörn perspectives then the Solar Buildings in Gårdsten turns out to be the preferred alternative. Conclusively, note that there exists a need for a sequel to the book “Så byggdes husen” which could be named “Så energieffektiviseras husen” aiming to increase the public knowledge of the topic. Finally, there is also a need for the statutory energy efficiency guidelines of existing buildings that Boverket currently works with