Multi-Facet Retrofit Approach to Improve Energy Efficiency of Existing Class of Single-Family Residential Buildings in Florida
Abstract
There are many approaches to incorporate energy efficiency measures (EEMs) into
building through retrofit projects. Single-family buildings are an essential target for
energy improvements because of their energy-saving potential and considerable
market share. This study evaluates energy savings and cost-effectiveness of
individual retrofit options. It proposes energy efficiency measures for an existing
class of single-family homes constructed between the years of 1950 and 1970. The
study uses a baseline building located in Melbourne, FL, as a case study. A survey
via clustering data mining was conducted on Florida Single-Family Residential
(SFR) buildings (1950 – 1970) to establish patterns of construction, nature of the
building envelope, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
A whole building retrofit improvement package, incorporating both passive and
active measures, were proposed and evaluated using an Autodesk Revit model. The study describes a Modeled five-step methodology to identify EEMs, define the
baseline model, validate the model with an actual building, estimate the cost of the
EEMs, and evaluate the effectiveness of the EEMs. The Revit model supported the
energy simulation analysis and investigation of the energy performance of the
individual EEMs and the further evaluation of the selected combination of the EEMs
as a retrofit packaged. This study also includes an evaluation of Solar PV installation
option as an additional measure with detailed energy consumption with different
choices of solar system size, generation levels, and retrofit cost breakdown. The
research results provide building researchers and industry stakeholders with a better
understanding of how to effectively carry out a building retrofit to promote energy
efficiency and cost-effectiveness for single-family buildings.