IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v12y2019i3p427-d201773.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Parametric Study and Performance Evaluation of Energy Retrofit Solutions for Buildings Located in the Hot-Humid Climate of Paraguay—Sensitivity Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Fabiana Silvero

    (RISCO, Civil Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    Geology and Engineering Department, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 42–65127 Chieti–Pescara, Italy)

  • Fernanda Rodrigues

    (RISCO, Civil Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Sergio Montelpare

    (Geology and Engineering Department, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 42–65127 Chieti–Pescara, Italy)

Abstract

Nowadays, awareness concerning the need to use energy efficiently is increasing significantly worldwide, thus, improving the energy efficiency levels in the building sector has acquired high importance because of their energy saving potential. However, several intervention options are available to achieve high energy efficiency levels in buildings, and the choice must be made considering the efficiency of the solution and the costs involved. Considering this, the present research aimed to develop a parametric study of several energy retrofit solutions for buildings located in the hot-humid climate of Paraguay, in order to analyse their efficiency in terms of comfort rates and cooling energy needs. Furthermore, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed as a decision-making method to choose the most suitable intervention considering the investment costs required. Thus, threshold values of thermal transmittance for the building thermal envelope components are established through a parametric study and sensitivity analysis of the simulations results. Considering that Paraguay does not have national building energy codes, the outcomes of this research will constitute a support and contribute for the thermal parameters regulation of buildings aiding to improve the energy efficiency of Paraguayan buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabiana Silvero & Fernanda Rodrigues & Sergio Montelpare, 2019. "A Parametric Study and Performance Evaluation of Energy Retrofit Solutions for Buildings Located in the Hot-Humid Climate of Paraguay—Sensitivity Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:427-:d:201773
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/3/427/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/3/427/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Jiang-Jiang & Jing, You-Yin & Zhang, Chun-Fa & Zhao, Jun-Hong, 2009. "Review on multi-criteria decision analysis aid in sustainable energy decision-making," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2263-2278, December.
    2. Kablan, M. M., 2004. "Decision support for energy conservation promotion:: an analytic hierarchy process approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1151-1158, July.
    3. Garbuzova-Schlifter, Maria & Madlener, Reinhard, 2016. "AHP-based risk analysis of energy performance contracting projects in Russia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 559-581.
    4. Marine Auzeby & Shen Wei & Chris Underwood & Jess Tindall & Chao Chen & Haoshu Ling & Richard Buswell, 2016. "Effectiveness of Using Phase Change Materials on Reducing Summer Overheating Issues in UK Residential Buildings with Identification of Influential Factors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Sergio Gómez Melgar & Miguel Ángel Martínez Bohórquez & José Manuel Andújar Márquez, 2018. "uhuMEB: Design, Construction, and Management Methodology of Minimum Energy Buildings in Subtropical Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-34, October.
    6. Gianluca Rospi & Nicola Cardinale & Elisabetta Negro, 2017. "Energy Performance and Economic Feasibility Study of Historical Building in the City of Matera, Southern Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Javier M. Rey-Hernández & Eloy Velasco-Gómez & Julio F. San José-Alonso & Ana Tejero-González & Francisco J. Rey-Martínez, 2018. "Energy Analysis at a Near Zero Energy Building. A Case-Study in Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Kumar, Abhishek & Sah, Bikash & Singh, Arvind R. & Deng, Yan & He, Xiangning & Kumar, Praveen & Bansal, R.C., 2017. "A review of multi criteria decision making (MCDM) towards sustainable renewable energy development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 596-609.
    9. Saaty, Thomas L., 1990. "How to make a decision: The analytic hierarchy process," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 9-26, September.
    10. Djamila, Harimi, 2017. "Indoor thermal comfort predictions: Selected issues and trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 569-580.
    11. Nayyar Hussain Mirjat & Mohammad Aslam Uqaili & Khanji Harijan & Mohd Wazir Mustafa & Md. Mizanur Rahman & M. Waris Ali Khan, 2018. "Multi-Criteria Analysis of Electricity Generation Scenarios for Sustainable Energy Planning in Pakistan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-33, March.
    12. Francesco Asdrubali & Cinzia Buratti & Franco Cotana & Giorgio Baldinelli & Michele Goretti & Elisa Moretti & Catia Baldassarri & Elisa Belloni & Francesco Bianchi & Antonella Rotili & Marco Vergoni &, 2013. "Evaluation of Green Buildings’ Overall Performance through in Situ Monitoring and Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(12), pages 1-23, December.
    13. Noailly, Joëlle, 2012. "Improving the energy efficiency of buildings: The impact of environmental policy on technological innovation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 795-806.
    14. Kuang-Sheng Liu & Sung-Lin Hsueh & Wen-Chen Wu & Yu-Lung Chen, 2012. "A DFuzzy-DAHP Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Energy-Saving Design Strategies for Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(11), pages 1-19, November.
    15. Mahabir Bhandari & Diana Hun & Som Shrestha & Simon Pallin & Melissa Lapsa, 2018. "A Simplified Methodology to Estimate Energy Savings in Commercial Buildings from Improvements in Airtightness," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, November.
    16. Shui Yu & Yumeng Cui & Yifei Shao & Fuhong Han, 2019. "Research on the Comprehensive Performance of Hygroscopic Materials in an Office Building Based on EnergyPlus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, January.
    17. Nematchoua, Modeste Kameni & Raminosoa, Chrysostôme R.R. & Mamiharijaona, Ramaroson & René, Tchinda & Orosa, José A. & Elvis, Watis & Meukam, Pierre, 2015. "Study of the economical and optimum thermal insulation thickness for buildings in a wet and hot tropical climate: Case of Cameroon," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1192-1202.
    18. Lee, Seong Kon & Yoon, Yong Jin & Kim, Jong Wook, 2007. "A study on making a long-term improvement in the national energy efficiency and GHG control plans by the AHP approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2862-2868, May.
    19. Yaolin Lin & Shiquan Zhou & Wei Yang & Long Shi & Chun-Qing Li, 2018. "Development of Building Thermal Load and Discomfort Degree Hour Prediction Models Using Data Mining Approaches," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-14, June.
    20. Yang, Yulan & Li, Baizhan & Yao, Runming, 2010. "A method of identifying and weighting indicators of energy efficiency assessment in Chinese residential buildings," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(12), pages 7687-7697, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jesús Araúz & Dafni Mora & Miguel Chen Austin, 2022. "Assessment of Different Envelope Configurations via Optimization Analysis and Thermal Performance Indicators: A Case Study in a Tropical Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Michela Menconi & Noel Painting & Poorang Piroozfar, 2025. "Simulated Results of a Passive Energy Retrofit Approach for Traditional Listed Dwellings in the UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-33, February.
    3. Małgorzata Basińska & Dobrosława Kaczorek & Halina Koczyk, 2021. "Economic and Energy Analysis of Building Retrofitting Using Internal Insulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jamal, Taskin & Urmee, Tania & Shafiullah, G.M., 2020. "Planning of off-grid power supply systems in remote areas using multi-criteria decision analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    2. Solangi, Yasir Ahmed & Longsheng, Cheng & Shah, Syed Ahsan Ali, 2021. "Assessing and overcoming the renewable energy barriers for sustainable development in Pakistan: An integrated AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 209-222.
    3. Yasir Ahmed Solangi & Qingmei Tan & Muhammad Waris Ali Khan & Nayyar Hussain Mirjat & Ifzal Ahmed, 2018. "The Selection of Wind Power Project Location in the Southeastern Corridor of Pakistan: A Factor Analysis, AHP, and Fuzzy-TOPSIS Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-26, July.
    4. Campos-Guzmán, Verónica & García-Cáscales, M. Socorro & Espinosa, Nieves & Urbina, Antonio, 2019. "Life Cycle Analysis with Multi-Criteria Decision Making: A review of approaches for the sustainability evaluation of renewable energy technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 343-366.
    5. Na Li & Rudi Hakvoort & Zofia Lukszo, 2021. "Cost Allocation in Integrated Community Energy Systems—Social Acceptance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-24, September.
    6. Muhammad Riaz & Wojciech Sałabun & Hafiz Muhammad Athar Farid & Nawazish Ali & Jarosław Wątróbski, 2020. "A Robust q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Information Aggregation Using Einstein Operations with Application to Sustainable Energy Planning Decision Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-39, May.
    7. Kayakutlu, Gulgun & Daim, Tugrul & Kunt, Meltem & Altay, Ayca & Suharto, Yulianto, 2017. "Scenarios for regional waste management," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1323-1335.
    8. Paula Donaduzzi Rigo & Graciele Rediske & Carmen Brum Rosa & Natália Gava Gastaldo & Leandro Michels & Alvaro Luiz Neuenfeldt Júnior & Julio Cezar Mairesse Siluk, 2020. "Renewable Energy Problems: Exploring the Methods to Support the Decision-Making Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-27, December.
    9. Haddad, Brahim & Liazid, Abdelkrim & Ferreira, Paula, 2017. "A multi-criteria approach to rank renewables for the Algerian electricity system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 462-472.
    10. Manley, Dawn K. & Hines, Valerie A. & Jordan, Matthew W. & Stoltz, Ronald E., 2013. "A survey of energy policy priorities in the United States: Energy supply security, economics, and the environment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 687-696.
    11. Rafael Lizarralde & Jaione Ganzarain & Mikel Zubizarreta, 2020. "Assessment and Selection of Technologies for the Sustainable Development of an R&D Center," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-23, December.
    12. Alaa Khadra & Mårten Hugosson & Jan Akander & Jonn Are Myhren, 2020. "Development of a Weight Factor Method for Sustainability Decisions in Building Renovation. Case Study Using Renobuild," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-15, September.
    13. Osseweijer, Floor J.W. & van den Hurk, Linda B.P. & Teunissen, Erik J.H.M. & van Sark, Wilfried G.J.H.M., 2018. "A comparative review of building integrated photovoltaics ecosystems in selected European countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 1027-1040.
    14. Ifaei, Pouya & Tayerani Charmchi, Amir Saman & Loy-Benitez, Jorge & Yang, Rebecca Jing & Yoo, ChangKyoo, 2022. "A data-driven analytical roadmap to a sustainable 2030 in South Korea based on optimal renewable microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    15. Fang, Hong & Wang, Xu & Song, Wenyan, 2020. "Technology selection for photovoltaic cell from sustainability perspective: An integrated approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 1029-1041.
    16. Shen, Yung-Chi & Chou, Chiyang James & Lin, Grace T.R., 2011. "The portfolio of renewable energy sources for achieving the three E policy goals," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 2589-2598.
    17. Goldrath, T. & Ayalon, O. & Shechter, M., 2015. "A combined sustainability index for electricity efficiency measures," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 574-584.
    18. José Carlos Romero & Pedro Linares, 2021. "Multiple Criteria Decision-Making as an Operational Conceptualization of Energy Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, October.
    19. Ali Mostafaeipour & Seyyed Jalaladdin Hosseini Dehshiri & Seyyed Shahabaddin Hosseini Dehshiri & Mehdi Jahangiri & Kuaanan Techato, 2020. "A Thorough Analysis of Potential Geothermal Project Locations in Afghanistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
    20. Syed Ali Abbas Kazmi & Muhammad Khuram Shahzad & Akif Zia Khan & Dong Ryeol Shin, 2017. "Smart Distribution Networks: A Review of Modern Distribution Concepts from a Planning Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-47, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:427-:d:201773. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.