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Energy Retrofitting Strategies and Economic Assessments: The Case Study of a Residential Complex Using Utility Bills

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  • Cesare Biserni

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Paolo Valdiserri

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Dario D’Orazio

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Massimo Garai

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), School of Engineering and Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Promotion of retrofit actions on existing buildings is a goal in Italy, since most of them were built before the 80′s when little attention was paid to energy saving. This paper presents an integrated passive design approach to reduce the heating demand and limit the costs of a representative existing residential complex located in Bologna, in the northern part of Italy. To this purpose, we explored different scenarios upon actions taken on the building structure: (1) High efficiency windows; (2) additional insulation on the external walls; or (3) the simultaneous application of high efficiency windows and improved thermal envelope, on both external walls and roofing. The numerical optimization has been performed dynamically using TRNSYS simulation tool, to evaluate energy consumptions in different structural conditions. Then, the developed model has been calibrated by the real consumption data deduced from energy bills (years 2009–2015). Finally, the energy results obtained in the above mentioned different scenarios have been evaluated under an economic assessment of cost investment: It has been highlighted that the payback time (PBT) results to be strongly influenced by the national policies of fiscal incentives. According to the present model, the most profitable condition is obtained when additional insulation on the external walls is applied: The total amount of energy saving resulted to be equal to 930.4 MWh, with an optimal PBT of roughly six years, when tax refund was contemplated.

Suggested Citation

  • Cesare Biserni & Paolo Valdiserri & Dario D’Orazio & Massimo Garai, 2018. "Energy Retrofitting Strategies and Economic Assessments: The Case Study of a Residential Complex Using Utility Bills," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:8:p:2055-:d:162541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Munteanu Răzvan-Aurelian, 2020. "Public policies in the First District of Bucharest - Sustainable solutions for increasing energy efficiency," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 14(1), pages 40-49, July.
    2. Matthias Slonski & Tobias Schrag, 2019. "Linear Optimisation of a Settlement Towards the Energy-Plus House Standard," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Anna Życzyńska & Zbigniew Suchorab & Dariusz Majerek, 2020. "Influence of Thermal Retrofitting on Annual Energy Demand for Heating in Multi-Family Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Anna Życzyńska & Dariusz Majerek & Zbigniew Suchorab & Agnieszka Żelazna & Václav Kočí & Robert Černý, 2021. "Improving the Energy Performance of Public Buildings Equipped with Individual Gas Boilers Due to Thermal Retrofitting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Jun-Woo Choi & Yong-Joon Jun & Jin-ha Yoon & Young-hak Song & Kyung-Soon Park, 2019. "A Study of Energy Simulation Integrated Process by Automated Extraction Module of the BIM Geometry Module," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-12, June.
    6. Huyen Do & Kristen S. Cetin, 2019. "Data-Driven Evaluation of Residential HVAC System Efficiency Using Energy and Environmental Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, January.
    7. Marek Borowski, 2022. "Hotel Adapted to the Requirements of an nZEB Building—Thermal Energy Performance and Assessment of Energy Retrofit Plan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-17, August.
    8. Moon Keun Kim & Jaehoon Cha & Eunmi Lee & Van Huy Pham & Sanghyuk Lee & Nipon Theera-Umpon, 2019. "Simplified Neural Network Model Design with Sensitivity Analysis and Electricity Consumption Prediction in a Commercial Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, March.
    9. Silvia Cesari & Paolo Valdiserri & Maddalena Coccagna & Sante Mazzacane, 2020. "The Energy Saving Potential of Wide Windows in Hospital Patient Rooms, Optimizing the Type of Glazing and Lighting Control Strategy under Different Climatic Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, April.
    10. Anna Życzyńska & Zbigniew Suchorab & Jan Kočí & Robert Černý, 2020. "Energy Effects of Retrofitting the Educational Facilities Located in South-Eastern Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, May.
    11. Soheil Kavian & Mohsen Saffari Pour & Ali Hakkaki-Fard, 2019. "Optimized Design of the District Heating System by Considering the Techno-Economic Aspects and Future Weather Projection," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-30, May.
    12. Hamburg, Anti & Kuusk, Kalle & Mikola, Alo & Kalamees, Targo, 2020. "Realisation of energy performance targets of an old apartment building renovated to nZEB," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    13. Kyung Hwa Cho & Sun Sook Kim, 2019. "Energy Performance Assessment According to Data Acquisition Levels of Existing Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, March.
    14. Agata Ołtarzewska & Dorota Anna Krawczyk, 2022. "Analysis of the Influence of Selected Factors on Heating Costs and Pollutant Emissions in a Cold Climate Based on the Example of a Service Building Located in Bialystok," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, December.
    15. Fabio Fantozzi & Caterina Gargari & Massimo Rovai & Giacomo Salvadori, 2019. "Energy Upgrading of Residential Building Stock: Use of Life Cycle Cost Analysis to Assess Interventions on Social Housing in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-13, March.

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