Deep Energy Retrofit Case Studies

This book describes results of research conducted with the goal of providing a framework, selected tools, and guidelines to significantly reduce energy use (by more than 50%) in government and public buildings. The scope of the book is limited to public buildings that were constructed before the 1980s with low internal loads (e.g., office buildings, dormitories, barracks, public housing, and educational buildings) and that were undergoing major renovation. The book contains description and analysis of 26 well-documented case studies from Europe (Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Montenegro, The Netherlands, and the UK) and the USA. After these data were collected, the case studies were analyzed with respect to energy use (before and after renovation), reasons for undertaking the renovation, co-benefits achieved, resulting cost-effectiveness, and the business models followed. Finally, “lessons learned” were compiled and compared. Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) is a major building renovation project in which site energy use intensity (including plug loads) has been reduced by at least 50% from the pre-renovation baseline with a corresponding improvement in indoor environmental quality and comfort. Lessons learned from the case studies and experiences of the team clearly indicate that DER can be achieved with the application of “bundles” of a limited number of core technologies readily available on the market. Specific characteristics of some of these core technology bundles generally depend on the technologies available on an individual nation’s market, on the minimum requirements of national standards, and on economics (as determined by a life cycle cost [LCC] analysis).

This book provides detailed information on how to set up Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs) in public buildings, and shares in-depth insights into the current status of the major technologies, strategies and practical best practice examples of how to cost-effectively combine them. Case studies from Europe are analyzed with respect to energy use before and after renovation, reasons for undertaking the renovation, co-benefits achieved, resulting cost-effectiveness, and the business models employed. The building sector holds the potential for tremendous improvements in terms of energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, and energy retrofits to the existing building stock represent a significant opportunity in the transition to a low-carbon future. Moreover, investing in highly efficient building materials and systems can replace long-term energy imports, contribute to cost cutting, and create a wealth of new jobs. Yet, while the technologies needed in order to improve energy efficiency are readily available, significant progress has not yet been made, and “best practices” for implementing building technologies and renewable energy sources are still relegated to small “niche” applications. Offering essential information on Deep Energy Retrofits, the book offers a valuable asset for architects, public authorities, project developers, and engineers alike.

This book provides detailed information on how to set up Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs) in public buildings, and shares in-depth insights into the current status of the major technologies, strategies and best practice examples of how to cost-effectively combine them. Case studies from the U.S.A. and Europe show that that Deep Energy Retrofit can be achieved with a limited core technologies bundle readily available on the market. Characteristics of some of these core technology measures depend on the technologies available on an individual nation’s market, on the minimum requirements of national standards, and on economics (as determined by a life cycle cost analysis). Also, requirements to building envelope-related technologies (e.g., insulation levels, windows, vapor and water barriers, and requirements for building airtightness) depend on specific climate conditions. This Guide provides best practice examples of how to apply these technologies in different construction situations. High levels of energy use reduction using core technology bundles along with improvements in indoor climate and thermal comfort can be only achieved when a Deep Energy Retrofit adopts a quality assurance process. In addition to design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy phases of the quality assurance process, the Guide emphasizes the importance of clearly and concisely formulating and documenting the Owner’s goals, expectations, and requirements for the renovated building during development of the statement of work. Another important component of the quality assurance process is a procurement phase, during which bidders’ qualifications, their understanding of the scope of work and its requirements, and their previous experience are analyzed. The building sector holds the potential for tremendous improvements in terms of energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, and energy retrofits to the existing building stock represent a significant opportunity in the transition to a low-carbon future. Moreover, investing in highly efficient building materials and systems can replace long-term energy imports, contribute to cost cutting, and create a wealth of new jobs. Yet, while the technologies needed in order to improve energy efficiency are readily available, significant progress has not yet been made, and “best practices” for implementing building technologies and renewable energy sources are still relegated to small “niche” applications. Offering essential information on Deep Energy Retrofits, the book offers a valuable asset for architects, public authorities, project developers, and engineers alike.

Many governments worldwide are setting more stringent targets for reductions in energy use in government/public buildings. Buildings constructed more than 10 years ago account for a major share of energy used by the building stock. However, the funding and “know-how” (applied knowledge) available for owner-directed energy retrofit projects has not kept pace with new requirements. With typical retrofit projects, reduction of energy use varies between 10 and 20%, while actual executed renovation projects show that energy use reduction can exceed 50%, and can cost-effectively achieve the Passive House standard or even approach net zero-energy status (EBC Annex 61 2017a, Hermelink and Müller 2010; NBI 2014; RICS 2013; Shonder and Nasseri 2015; Miller and Higgins 2015; Emmerich et al. 2011). Building energy efficiency (EE) ranks first in approaches with resource efficiency potential with a total resource benefit of approximately $700 billion until 2030. EE is by far the cheapest way to cut CO2 emissions (McKinsey 2011, IPCC 2007). However, according to an IEA study (IEA 2014a), more than 80% of savings potential in building sector remains untapped. Thus, the share of deployed EE in the building sector is lower than in the Industry, Transport, and Energy generation sectors. Estimates for the deep renovation potentials show: €600-900bn investment potential, €1000-1300bn savings potential, 70% energy-saving potential, and 90% CO2 reduction potential.

In order to meet UK Carbon reduction commitments for 2020 and 2050 building owners will be required to upgrade their buildings to meet an increasingly stringent set of energy performance requirements. In the absence of any clear advice from UK Government on how this can be achieved, the EnerPHit standard offers a very clear methodology. This is a practical guide that gives architects the tools to retrofit buildings to the highest EnerPHit standard. It equips the reader with the key information on EnerPHit (as the most effective benchmark for performance), the practical know-how and tips to ensure effective retrofit throughout all Plan of Work stages of a project to the EnerPHit standard. Backed with real-life case studies, it enables you to understand how to achieve successful outcomes tailored to suit available budgets and programmes.

In The Power of Existing Buildings, academic sustainability expert Robert Sroufe, and construction and building experts Craig Stevenson and Beth Eckenrode, explain how to realize the potential of existing buildings and make them perform like new. This step-by-step guide will help readers to: understand where to start a project; develop financial models and realize costs savings; assemble an expert team; and align goals with numerous sustainability programs. The Power of Existing Buildings will challenge you to rethink spaces where people work and play, while determining how existing buildings can save the world. The insights and practical experience of Sroufe, Stevenson, and Eckenrode, along with the project case study examples, provide new insights on investing in existing buildings for building owners, engineers, occupants, architects, and real estate and construction professionals.

Retrofit for Purpose examines a range of state-of-the-art non-domestic retrofit projects. Its chapters explore common challenges, offer practical solutions and provide a clarion-call to architects and clients for better, smarter retrofit. Twelve case studies focus as much on the transformation of usability and image as on the improvements in the energy and resource use of non-domestic buildings. While an essay section places these projects into a wider context, suggesting that despite the importance of sharing and analysing data, there is more to retrofit than just energy efficiency. The authors take a range of other retrofit variables: from client ambition to tenure, budget, use type, age, context, fashion and fiscal arrangements and assess how retrofit can be made affordable, how it fits in with wider government policy and how performance can be measured.