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Economic feasibility of energy efficiency measures in residential buildings

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  • Sadineni, Suresh B.
  • France, Todd M.
  • Boehm, Robert F.

Abstract

A study has been performed to develop cost benefit data to be used by a local electric utility in defining a rebate program to encourage energy efficient construction in the Desert Southwest region of the USA. Several potential efficiency upgrades for production homes in the region were identified and an evaluation of each building component was performed using building energy simulation software. A model home developed in Las Vegas was used to calibrate the numerical model and was considered as a basis for further study. The validated building models were then used to predict the annual energy savings and payback periods for various upgrades. In all cases, comparisons were made to code-built houses with the same general overall characteristics. Useful life of most of these upgrades far exceeds their payback periods. It is found that a typical house, with the cost-effective upgrades installed, consumed 42.5% less annual energy compared to a home built to code. A 3.19 kWp PV system installed on the south-facing roof of the home can generate 5982 kWh annually, making it a net-zero (electrical) energy home. PV systems in Las Vegas have encouraging benefit cost ratios when federal and state rebates are considered.

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  • Sadineni, Suresh B. & France, Todd M. & Boehm, Robert F., 2011. "Economic feasibility of energy efficiency measures in residential buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 2925-2931.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:36:y:2011:i:11:p:2925-2931
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.04.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Hong, Taehoon & Koo, Choongwan & Kim, Hyunjoong & Seon Park, Hyo, 2014. "Decision support model for establishing the optimal energy retrofit strategy for existing multi-family housing complexes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 157-169.
    6. Sadineni, Suresh B. & Madala, Srikanth & Boehm, Robert F., 2011. "Passive building energy savings: A review of building envelope components," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 3617-3631.
    7. Sadineni, Suresh B. & Atallah, Fady & Boehm, Robert F., 2012. "Impact of roof integrated PV orientation on the residential electricity peak demand," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 204-210.
    8. De Luca, Giovanna & Ballarini, Ilaria & Lorenzati, Alice & Corrado, Vincenzo, 2020. "Renovation of a social house into a NZEB: Use of renewable energy sources and economic implications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 356-370.
    9. DeBlois, Justin C. & Bilec, Melissa M. & Schaefer, Laura A., 2013. "Design and zonal building energy modeling of a roof integrated solar chimney," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 241-250.
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    11. Jam Shahzaib Khan & Rozana Zakaria & Siti Mazzuana Shamsudin & Nur Izie Adiana Abidin & Shaza Rina Sahamir & Darul Nafis Abbas & Eeydzah Aminudin, 2019. "Evolution to Emergence of Green Buildings: A Review," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, January.
    12. Sadineni, Suresh B. & Boehm, Robert F., 2012. "Measurements and simulations for peak electrical load reduction in cooling dominated climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 689-697.
    13. Ruhang, Xu, 2016. "The restriction research for urban area building integrated grid-connected PV power generation potential," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 124-143.
    14. Song, Xiangnan & Lu, Yujie & Shen, Liyin & Shi, Xunpeng, 2018. "Will China's building sector participate in emission trading system? Insights from modelling an owner's optimal carbon reduction strategies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 232-244.
    15. Byung Chang Kwag & Sanghee Han & Gil Tae Kim & Beobjeon Kim & Jong Yeob Kim, 2020. "Analysis of the Effects of Strengthening Building Energy Policy on Multifamily Residential Buildings in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-20, April.
    16. Vats, Kanchan & Tiwari, G.N., 2012. "Energy and exergy analysis of a building integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal (BISPVT) system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 409-416.

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