Review of criteria for determining HFM minimum test duration

Abstract The actual thermal behaviour of facades is important to identify suitable energy-saving measures and increase the energy performance of existing buildings. However, the accuracy of in situ measurements of facades’ U-values varies widely, mostly due to inadequate test durations. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the minimum duration of in situ experimental campaigns to measure the thermal transmittance of existing buildings’ facades using the heat flow meter method, and to analyse the thermal performance of the facade during the test. Minimum test duration was determined according to data quality criteria, variability of results criteria, and standardized criteria for different ranges of theoretical thermal transmittance and for the same range of average temperature difference. Then, the minimum test duration results were compared. The findings show that ISO criteria are more sensitive and provide more accurate results, requiring a longer test duration. However, when certification is not required, the duration of the test could be reduced by applying data quality and variability of results criteria. The minimum duration of experimental campaigns depends on the theoretical thermal transmittance and the stability of climatic conditions. Moreover, results are more accurate when the dynamic method is used.