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Strengths and Weaknesses of Existing Building Green Retrofits: Case Study of a LEED EBOM Gold Project

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  • Xiaonuan Sun

    (Metaamo Studio/School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

  • Zhonghua Gou

    (School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4215, Australia)

  • Yi Lu

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yiqi Tao

    (Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117 566, Singapore)

Abstract

This study investigated the process of existing building green retrofits through examining a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Building: Operations and Maintenance (LEED EBOM) Gold project. The project demonstrated a standard green retrofit process for existing buildings, which includes energy auditing, building performance simulation, and measurement and verification. In this project, four energy conservation measures were applied to improve energy performance: light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, window films, green roofs, and chilled water plant upgrading and optimization. The expected energy saving was 30% after the retrofit; while the actual energy saving was 16%. The error of building performance simulation was one of uncertainties in this retrofit project. Occupancy conditions might be the main reason for this uncertainty. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified and discussed for the green retrofit. The research results could be used to optimize the existing building retrofit process for better energy performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaonuan Sun & Zhonghua Gou & Yi Lu & Yiqi Tao, 2018. "Strengths and Weaknesses of Existing Building Green Retrofits: Case Study of a LEED EBOM Gold Project," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:8:p:1936-:d:159914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jagarajan, Rehmaashini & Abdullah Mohd Asmoni, Mat Naim & Mohammed, Abdul Hakim & Jaafar, Mohd Nadzri & Lee Yim Mei, Janice & Baba, Maizan, 2017. "Green retrofitting – A review of current status, implementations and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1360-1368.
    2. Al-Sallal, Khaled A., 2003. "Comparison between polystyrene and fiberglass roof insulation in warm and cold climates," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 603-611.
    3. Rastogi, Ankush & Choi, Jun-Ki & Hong, Taehoon & Lee, Minhyun, 2017. "Impact of different LEED versions for green building certification and energy efficiency rating system: A Multifamily Midrise case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 732-740.
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    2. Sheng-Yuan Wang & Kyung-Tae Lee & Ju-Hyung Kim, 2022. "Green Retrofitting Simulation for Sustainable Commercial Buildings in China Using a Proposed Multi-Agent Evolutionary Game," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-32, June.
    3. Prescott C. Ensign & Shawn Roy & Tom Brzustowski, 2021. "Decisions by Key Office Building Stakeholders to Build or Retrofit Green in Toronto’s Urban Core," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-31, June.
    4. Azis, Shazmin Shareena Ab., 2021. "Improving present-day energy savings among green building sector in Malaysia using benefit transfer approach: Cooling and lighting loads," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. U. G. D. Madushika & Thanuja Ramachandra & Gayani Karunasena & P. A. D. S. Udakara, 2023. "Energy Retrofitting Technologies of Buildings: A Review-Based Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, June.

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