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Doing More with Less: Applying Low-Frequency Energy Data to Define Thermal Performance of House Units and Energy-Saving Opportunities

Author

Listed:
  • Amina Irakoze

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, School of Architecture, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea)

  • Han-Sung Choi

    (Ecosian Technology Research and Development Department, Ecosia, Seoul 08511, Republic of Korea)

  • Kee-Han Kim

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, School of Architecture, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

High-frequency energy data, such as hourly and sub-hourly energy, provide various options for assessing building energy performance. However, the scarcity of such energy data is among the challenges of applying most of the existing energy analysis approaches in large-scale building energy remodeling projects. The purpose of this study is to develop a practical method to define the energy performance of residential house units using monthly energy data that are relatively easy to obtain for existing building stock. In addition, based on the defined energy use characteristics, house units are classified, and energy retrofit measures are proposed for energy-inefficient units. In this study, we applied a change-point regression model to investigate the heterogeneity in the monthly gas consumption of 200 house units sampled from four apartment complexes in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. Using a four-quadrant plane and the fitted model parameters, we identified most energy-inefficient house units and their potential energy-saving measures are assessed. The results indicate that around a 41% energy reduction through enhanced thermal properties and heating systems was achieved. The study responds to the need for a straightforward procedure for identifying and prioritizing the best targets for effective energy upgrades of existing buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Amina Irakoze & Han-Sung Choi & Kee-Han Kim, 2024. "Doing More with Less: Applying Low-Frequency Energy Data to Define Thermal Performance of House Units and Energy-Saving Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:4186-:d:1461556
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto Meiss & Miguel A. Padilla-Marcos & Jesús Feijó-Muñoz, 2017. "Methodology Applied to the Evaluation of Natural Ventilation in Residential Building Retrofits: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Wang, Endong, 2015. "Benchmarking whole-building energy performance with multi-criteria technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution using a selective objective-weighting approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 92-103.
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