IN COLLABORATION WITH CSTC, BELGIUM, TNO, NETHERLANDS AND BRE, UK A PRATICAL ENERGY SAVING DESIGN METHODOLOGY, BASED ON A STEADY STATE SIMULATION MODEL FOR THE THERMAL BEHAVIOUR OF HOUSES (LPB 3-4, SEE CONTRACT NO. EE-A5-057) HQS BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE FIRST ENERGY CONSERVATION R + D PROGRAMME (1975 - 1979). THIS METHODOLOGY HAS BEEN USED FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF EIGHT HOUSES. THE AIM OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO VALIDATE THE EXISTING STEADY STATE MODEL AND TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN METHODOLOGY BY INCLUDING SIMULATION OF THE DYNAMIC THERMAL BEHAVIOUR OF BUILDINGS (LPB 5, SEE CONTRACT NO. EE-A5-057) AND BY DEVELOPING A CONVERSATIONAL COMPUTERIZED VERSION OF THE DESIGN GUIDELINES. ALSO THE INVESTMENT, OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COST HAS BEEN INCLUDED.

AFTER DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, MEASUREMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN FIVE OF THE EIGHT HOUSES. IN THIS MONITORING PROJECT THE MEASURING METHODOLOGY WAS GIVEN PRIORITY. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE DESIGN METHODOLOGY HAS BEEN COMPUTERIZED AND IS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF A USERS GUIDE.