Beboelsesfaktor

Beboelsesfaktor is a Danish term used in real estate, housing statistics and building regulation to describe the extent to which a property is used for residential living. The concept can be applied in different ways, depending on the context and the regulatory framework.

One common interpretation is an area-based measure: the share of a building’s usable floor space that is designated as living space. In this sense, beboelsesfaktor is calculated as beboelses_floorspace divided by total_floor_space, producing a ratio that reflects how much of the building is intended for habitation versus other uses such as commercial space or storage.

A second interpretation is time-based: the share of time during which a dwelling is actually inhabited. This occupancy-based beboelsesfaktor is often expressed as hours_occupied_per_year divided by the total hours in a year (8760), reflecting how heavily a unit is used as a residence.

Applications and implications vary by context. In energy modelling and energy performance certificates, beboelsesfaktorer influence estimates of internal heat gains, ventilation needs and overall energy consumption. In taxation, planning or market statistics, they help distinguish residential use from mixed-use or non-residential uses and can affect valuation and subsidies.

Limitations include variation in definitions across agencies and the fact that many buildings serve multiple uses or change use over time. Therefore, it is important to refer to the specific regulatory definition for a given project. See also occupancy rate, floor area, and energy performance certificates.