Which factors are crucial when calculating the energy performance of a home?

When calculating the energy performance of a home, the factors related to insulation, air infiltration, and HVAC systems play a pivotal role. Insulation is crucial because it helps maintain the desired indoor temperature by minimizing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This directly impacts energy usage, as well-insulated homes require less energy to heat or cool.

Air infiltration refers to uncontrolled air leaks in a home’s building envelope. High levels of air leakage can significantly drive up energy costs, as conditioned air may escape and unconditioned air may enter, making heating and cooling systems work harder to maintain comfort.

HVAC systems are essential in determining energy performance since they are the primary means through which homes are heated or cooled. The efficiency of these systems impacts the amount of energy consumed. High-efficiency HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy demand, whereas outdated or poorly maintained systems can lead to excessive energy consumption.

While location and building materials, the number of occupants and their lifestyle, as well as heating and cooling costs are all relevant factors in the broader understanding of a home's energy performance, they do not directly influence the technical assessment of energy efficiency as much as insulation, air infiltration, and HVAC systems do. Thus, focusing on the specified elements allows for a more precise