Retrofitting of Existing Building to make it Energy Efficient

Abstract

In an era of rapid development, the great need for energy conservation has emphasized the need to establish sustainable practices in the construction Projects. Many countries have responded by developing regulations and techniques to improve the energy efficiency and longevity of existing Buildings. However, the upfront costs associated with these solutions often scare decision-makers and force them to look for alternative ways, even if they result in higher operating costs. To address this problem, ongoing research thoroughly investigates how different energy load reduction strategies, including active and passive approaches, can affect the overall cost dynamics of Existing Buildings over time. Focusing on a warm and dry climate, guided by the principles of environmentally conscious construction, several strategies including external wall insulation with polyurethane, external shading with horizontal single panels, HRBLUE2 windows, R10 polystyrene roof insulation, night ventilation and LED lighting systems were carefully selected after planning and evaluation. The goal is to extract the optimal combination of these strategies to find the least energy load. Their effectiveness in controlling heat was evaluated by simulations performed with Design Builder V7.0.2 software. In addition, the study aimed to calculate the life cycle costs of these energy strategies. The life cycle costs of all identified strategies were thoroughly calculated. Recommendations include a comparative combination of strategies that effectively reduce the energy load, a combination of strategies with minimal life cycle costs, and finally a selection with optimal normal performance specifically adapted for the Research and Display environment.