Closing the performance gap between the energy consumption reduction calculated at the building renovation permit stage and the real consumption after retrofit works represents a major challenge for the achievement of climate goals in Switzerland. A study by the University of Geneva in 2018 showed that on average only 42% of expected savings are achieved. Considering these disappointing results, the canton of Geneva has launched a subsidised pilot programme consisting of energy monitoring by a qualified professional (Energy advisor) throughout the entire renovation process, from planning to commissioning. After six years, it is now possible to draw relevant conclusions, with the pilot programme demonstrating its efficacy: in the renovation projects that benefited from the programme, 94% of the expected energy savings were achieved. Results show that investing in an Energy Advisor mandate to maximise energy gains and close the performance gap is highly profitable from an energy point of view, at an extremely low relative cost. However, the future of this service is not guaranteed, and there is a risk that subsidies will be cut before the habit is established of hiring energy advisors without government support.
