A Decade-And-A-Half of Research on Building Energy Performance Certification: A Systematic Review

Authors

Keywords:

Energy efficiency, Energy performance certificates, EPC schemes, literature review

Abstract

Certifying the energy performance of buildings is a crucial step towards global sustainability. This study systematically reviews the literature on Energy Performance Certification (EPC) schemes to identify the key themes in EPC research over 15 years. The aim was to unearth the best practices of certification schemes and to identify what challenges confronted attempts at implementation. The Scopus electronic database was searched for articles on EPC schemes published between 2005 and 2020 (both years inclusive). Out of the large body of literature retrieved, 67 publications, comprising journal articles, conference proceedings, and technical reports, were selected for analysis after the abstracts and contents were systematically perused. The findings revealed that more than 68% of the publications reviewed originated from Europe, lending credibility to European countries being labelled as leaders in EPC scheme implementation. It was further unveiled that the key themes from previous research works included the importance of EPCs, the impact of EPC on the market value of buildings and the limitations of EPCs. This review has revealed the importance of promoting EPC for energy efficiency from the existing building stock.The authors thus recommend adopting the identified best practices underlying successful EPC schemes to promote energy efficiency in existing buildings in Ghana.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Gloria Osei - Poku, Takoradi Technical University

    Gloria Osei - Poku is an architect by training.  She holds a Ph.D., Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Architecture, all from KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. She also has a Diploma in Project Management from the Institute of Commercial Management, UK, and a Diploma in Education from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Gloria currently works as a senior lecturer at the Department of Building Technology, Takoradi Technical University, Ghana where her teaching centers on building science and services, computer applications in construction and interior design, principles of design, and research methods, among others. Her research interests include Sustainable Architecture and Construction, Building Performance, Building Science, and Sustainable Energy Use in the Built Environment.

  • Christian Koranteng, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

    Arc. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Christian Koranteng is a Professor at the Department of Architecture, KNUST, Ghana. He is also the Director of the Research Centre for Building Performance and Design in Kumasi. He holds a PhD degree from the Institute of Building Physics and Human Ecology, Vienna University of Technology, Austria, where he majored in theory of buildings (housing), urban design and building construction. As an architect and a building scientist, his major research interest is in building performance, simulation and ecology, specifically thermal comfort, and energy performance of buildings. Since 2003, his teaching activities at KNUST are centered on computer aided design, architectural science, architectural design studio, and research methods.

  • Kwabena Abrokwa Gyimah, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

    Kwabena Abrokwa Gyimah is a Building and Environmental Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the building industry. He is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Architecture, KNUST. He has authored and reviewed various articles on Green Buildings, Building Physics, Sustainable Built Environments, and Renewable Energies. He is a member of the Society of Building Science Educators, US Green Building Council, Africa Network for Solar Energy, World Society for Sustainable Energy Technologies, Royal Institute of British Architects, Ghana Green Building Council, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana, and a certified Juror for INSPIRELI Architecture Education and Awards.

  • Samuel Amos-Abanyie, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

    Samuel Amos-Abanyie is an architect by training and employed as Professor of Architecture at the Department of Architecture, and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs at KNUST, Ghana. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Building Technology, an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems and Management from Germany, and Postgraduate and Bachelor of Science, both in Architecture from KNUST. Samuel Amos-Abanyie’s area of research interest is Architectural Science with focus on climate control in architectural design, building performance modelling, indoor environmental quality, sustainable building design and teamwork in project delivery. He is an Associate Member of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), member in good standing with the Architects Registration Council of Ghana (ARC), and Member of the Society of Building Science Educators.

  • Edward Ayebeng Botchway, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

    Edward Ayebeng Botchway is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture, KNUST, Ghana. He currently teaches Industrial Building Design, Multi-storey Construction and Integrated Technology. He practices as a consulting Architect and has over thirty (30) years of experience in the design and build industry. He is a founder and Board Chairman of the PROJEKT DAVID FOUNDATION Group. His research areas and specialization are in Architectural Education, Architecture Practice, Construction Project Management and Project Finance, as well as ICT’s utilization in sustainable built environments.

Downloads

Published

2025-09-04

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Art & Humanities

License

JUST Vol. 43 Number 1 (2025) Copyright and Licensing statement

How to Cite

A Decade-And-A-Half of Research on Building Energy Performance Certification: A Systematic Review. (2025). Journal of Science and Technology, 43(3), 125-141. https://journal.knust.edu.gh/index.php/just/article/view/1449

Most read articles by the same author(s)