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Transformation of an Office Building into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB): Implications for Thermal and Visual Comfort and Energy Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Ilaria Ballarini

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Giovanna De Luca

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Argun Paragamyan

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Anna Pellegrino

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Corrado

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

Directive 2010/31/EU promotes the refurbishment of existing buildings to change them into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs). Within this framework, it is of crucial importance to guarantee the best trade-off between energy performance and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The implications of a global refurbishment scenario on thermal and visual comfort are assessed in this paper pertaining to an existing office building. The retrofit actions applied to achieve the nZEB target consist of a combination of envelope and technical building systems refurbishment measures, involving both HVAC and lighting. Energy and comfort calculations were carried out through dynamic simulation using Energy Plus and DIVA, for the thermal and visual performance assessments, respectively. The results point out that energy retrofit actions on the building envelope would lead to significant improvements in the thermal performance, regarding both energy savings (−37% of the annual primary energy for heating) and thermal comfort. However, a daylighting reduction would occur with a consequent higher electricity demand for lighting (36%). The research presents a detailed approach applicable to further analyses aimed at optimizing the energy efficiency measures in order to reduce the imbalance between visual and thermal comfort and to ensure the best performance in both domains.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilaria Ballarini & Giovanna De Luca & Argun Paragamyan & Anna Pellegrino & Vincenzo Corrado, 2019. "Transformation of an Office Building into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB): Implications for Thermal and Visual Comfort and Energy Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:895-:d:212038
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    1. Xue, Peng & Li, Qian & Xie, Jingchao & Zhao, Mengjing & Liu, Jiaping, 2019. "Optimization of window-to-wall ratio with sunshades in China low latitude region considering daylighting and energy saving requirements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 62-70.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hamels, Sam & Himpe, Eline & Laverge, Jelle & Delghust, Marc & Van den Brande, Kjartan & Janssens, Arnold & Albrecht, Johan, 2021. "The use of primary energy factors and CO2 intensities for electricity in the European context - A systematic methodological review and critical evaluation of the contemporary literature," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
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    6. Kittisak Lohwanitchai & Daranee Jareemit, 2021. "Modeling Energy Efficiency Performance and Cost-Benefit Analysis Achieving Net-Zero Energy Building Design: Case Studies of Three Representative Offices in Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, May.
    7. Krzysztof Wąs & Jan Radoń & Agnieszka Sadłowska-Sałęga, 2020. "Maintenance of Passive House Standard in the Light of Long-Term Study on Energy Use in a Prefabricated Lightweight Passive House in Central Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, June.
    8. Fang Wang & Wen-Jia Yang & Wei-Feng Sun, 2020. "Heat Transfer and Energy Consumption of Passive House in a Severely Cold Area: Simulation Analyses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, February.
    9. Arturs Staveckis & Jurgis Zemitis, 2023. "Impact of the Limited Heat Source Capacity on Indoor Temperature and Energy Consumption in Serial nZEB Residential Buildings across the Baltic Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-16, August.
    10. Szymon Firląg, 2019. "Cost-Optimal Plus Energy Building in a Cold Climate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-20, October.
    11. Gianluca Cadelano & Francesco Cicolin & Giuseppe Emmi & Giulia Mezzasalma & Davide Poletto & Antonio Galgaro & Adriana Bernardi, 2019. "Improving the Energy Efficiency, Limiting Costs and Reducing CO 2 Emissions of a Museum Using Geothermal Energy and Energy Management Policies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-18, August.
    12. Jiashu Kong & Yitong Dong & Aravind Poshnath & Behzad Rismanchi & Pow-Seng Yap, 2023. "Application of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) in Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-26, September.
    13. Przemysław Markiewicz-Zahorski & Joanna Rucińska & Małgorzata Fedorczak-Cisak & Michał Zielina, 2021. "Building Energy Performance Analysis after Changing Its Form of Use from an Office to a Residential Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-24, January.
    14. Krzysztof Wąs & Jan Radoń & Agnieszka Sadłowska-Sałęga, 2022. "Thermal Comfort—Case Study in a Lightweight Passive House," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, June.
    15. Kyung Hwa Cho & Sun Sook Kim, 2019. "Energy Performance Assessment According to Data Acquisition Levels of Existing Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, March.
    16. Mohammad K. Najjar & Vivian W. Y. Tam & Leandro Torres Di Gregorio & Ana Catarina Jorge Evangelista & Ahmed W. A. Hammad & Assed Haddad, 2019. "Integrating Parametric Analysis with Building Information Modeling to Improve Energy Performance of Construction Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-22, April.
    17. Amir Faraji & Maria Rashidi & Fatemeh Rezaei & Payam Rahnamayiezekavat, 2023. "A Meta-Synthesis Review of Occupant Comfort Assessment in Buildings (2002–2022)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-36, February.
    18. Agata Ołtarzewska & Dorota Anna Krawczyk, 2022. "Analysis of the Influence of Selected Factors on Heating Costs and Pollutant Emissions in a Cold Climate Based on the Example of a Service Building Located in Bialystok," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, December.
    19. Valeria Palomba & Emiliano Borri & Antonios Charalampidis & Andrea Frazzica & Sotirios Karellas & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2021. "An Innovative Solar-Biomass Energy System to Increase the Share of Renewables in Office Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, February.
    20. Ana Tejero-González & Dorota Anna Krawczyk & José Ramón Martín-Sanz García & Francisco Javier Rey-Martínez & Eloy Velasco-Gómez, 2019. "Improved Performance of a PV Integrated Ventilated Façade at an Existing nZEB," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, August.

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