A Review of Frameworks for the Energy Performance Certification of Buildings and Lessons for Ghana

Purpose: Buildings are known as a huge expender of energy especially the ones that have existed over a considerable period. However, global energy supply faces challenges, prompting the development of several frameworks to assess the performance of buildings energy-wise. This research aimed at examining energy performance certification frameworks for a possible country-specific adoption in Ghana. Design/Methodology/Approach: To achieve this aim, scholarly publications were retrieved from the electronic search engines of Google Scholar and Research Gate. These selected papers, published in the decade between 2010 and 2020 (both years inclusive), were perused to identify the elements of the frameworks, to examine the certification process and to explore the features on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Findings: It was discovered that most energy performance assessment frameworks were developed concurrently with sustainable building rating tools. The basic features indicated on an EPC were the energy ratings and cost implications for both current and potential cases, the energy efficiency improvement recommendations and a validity period. Findings also revealed that although proposals had been made for building energy efficiency assessment, there is no framework implemented in Ghana to certify the energy performance of buildings. Research Limitations/Implications: The study was limited to an identification of the elements in energy performance frameworks, the certification process and features on the certificate. Practical Implication: The lessons learnt from this review would guide in the adoption of a localised EPC framework to evaluate office buildings in Ghana as a means of promoting energy efficiency from the building sector. Social Implication: Information provided on the certificate issued would influence the decisions of several stakeholders including owners, buyers and renters of office buildings. Originality/Value: This forms part of a broader study aimed at formulating and validating a framework for rating the energy performance of office buildings in Ghana.