IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i1p319-d1559916.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Development of Methodology for Estimation of Energy-Efficient Building Renovation Using Application of MINLP-Optimized Timber–Glass Upgrade Modules

Author

Listed:
  • Maja Lešnik Nedelko

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Stojan Kravanja

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Miroslav Premrov

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Vesna Žegarac Leskovar

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

Vertical addition to already-existing structures is an approach to energy-efficient building renovation. It presents an opportunity for the densification of built-up areas and the construction of new usable spaces. While many studies have dealt with the subject of renovating buildings with a focus on energy efficiency, far fewer studies have specifically examined the potential of vertically extending existing buildings, an approach which could be introduced in new sustainable building policies. The objective of this study is to redevelop optimal timber–glass upgrade modules, considering the ideal proportions of glazing for all cardinal directions, by using discrete Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming optimization. The novelty of the suggested method resides in the synchronous optimization of the upgrade modules’ daylighting and energy-efficiency performance, resulting in the creation of optimization methods that can determine the optimal glazing proportions for all cardinal directions and incorporate rational design and window measurement. The impact of the developed Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming-optimized upgrade modules is compared to previously designed optimized upgrade modules. Finally, a methodology for estimating the energy efficiency of building renovations incorporating vertical additions using the timber–glass upgrade modules was developed, supporting the quick assessment of the reduction in hybrid buildings’ energy consumption for heating and cooling according to boundary conditions, presuming that they undergo the suggested renovations. The findings are applicable (not exclusively) to Slovenia’s residential building stock, which makes up around 20% of the country’s current housing stock and was mainly constructed between 1946 and 1970. This offers a substantial opportunity to improve the overall sustainability and energy efficiency of the country’s housing stock. The proposed approach offers a holistic solution to drive sustainable development in the built environment by incorporating all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic).

Suggested Citation

  • Maja Lešnik Nedelko & Stojan Kravanja & Miroslav Premrov & Vesna Žegarac Leskovar, 2025. "Development of Methodology for Estimation of Energy-Efficient Building Renovation Using Application of MINLP-Optimized Timber–Glass Upgrade Modules," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:319-:d:1559916
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/319/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/319/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lešnik, Maja & Premrov, Miroslav & Žegarac Leskovar, Vesna, 2018. "Design parameters of the timber-glass upgrade module and the existing building: Impact on the energy-efficient refurbishment process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1125-1138.
    2. Galatioto, A. & Ciulla, G. & Ricciu, R., 2017. "An overview of energy retrofit actions feasibility on Italian historical buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 991-1000.
    3. Lešnik, Maja & Kravanja, Stojan & Premrov, Miroslav & Žegarac Leskovar, Vesna, 2020. "Optimal design of timber-glass upgrade modules for vertical building extension from the viewpoints of energy efficiency and visual comfort," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lešnik, Maja & Kravanja, Stojan & Premrov, Miroslav & Žegarac Leskovar, Vesna, 2020. "Optimal design of timber-glass upgrade modules for vertical building extension from the viewpoints of energy efficiency and visual comfort," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    2. Jing, Gang & Cai, Wenjian & Zhang, Xin & Cui, Can & Yin, Xiaohong & Xian, Huacai, 2019. "An energy-saving oriented air balancing strategy for multi-zone demand-controlled ventilation system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1053-1065.
    3. Galatioto, A. & Ricciu, R. & Salem, T. & Kinab, E., 2019. "Energy and economic analysis on retrofit actions for Italian public historic buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 58-66.
    4. Sara Brito-Coimbra & Daniel Aelenei & Maria Gloria Gomes & Antonio Moret Rodrigues, 2021. "Building Façade Retrofit with Solar Passive Technologies: A Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Dario Cottafava & Giulia Sonetti & Paolo Gambino & Andrea Tartaglino, 2018. "Explorative Multidimensional Analysis for Energy Efficiency: DataViz versus Clustering Algorithms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Lin Zhang & Shan Guo & Zezhou Wu & Ahmed Alsaedi & Tasawar Hayat, 2018. "SWOT Analysis for the Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Rural Buildings: A Case Study of China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, April.
    7. Cristina Piselli & Alessio Guastaveglia & Jessica Romanelli & Franco Cotana & Anna Laura Pisello, 2020. "Facility Energy Management Application of HBIM for Historical Low-Carbon Communities: Design, Modelling and Operation Control of Geothermal Energy Retrofit in a Real Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Bowen Jia & Wenjie Li & Guanyu Chen & Wenbin Sun & Bowen Wang & Ning Xu, 2023. "Optimized Design of Skylight Arrangement to Enhance the Uniformity of Indoor Sunlight Illumination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    9. Qu, Ke & Chen, Xiangjie & Wang, Yixin & Calautit, John & Riffat, Saffa & Cui, Xin, 2021. "Comprehensive energy, economic and thermal comfort assessments for the passive energy retrofit of historical buildings - A case study of a late nineteenth-century Victorian house renovation in the UK," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    10. Yasmine Sabry Hegazi & Heidi Ahmed Shalaby & Mady A. A. Mohamed, 2021. "Adaptive Reuse Decisions for Historic Buildings in Relation to Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort—Cairo Citadel, a Case Study from Egypt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-26, September.
    11. Vallati, Andrea & Di Matteo, Miriam & Sundararajan, Mukund & Muzi, Francesco & Fiorini, Costanza Vittoria, 2024. "Development and optimization of an energy saving strategy for social housing applications by water source-heat pump integrating photovoltaic-thermal panels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    12. Pochwała, Sławomir & Anweiler, Stanisław & Tańczuk, Mariusz & Klementowski, Igor & Przysiężniuk, Dawid & Adrian, Łukasz & McNamara, Greg & Stevanović, Žana, 2023. "Energy source impact on the economic and environmental effects of retrofitting a heritage building with a heat pump system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    13. Mirco Andreotti & Dario Bottino-Leone & Marta Calzolari & Pietromaria Davoli & Luisa Dias Pereira & Elena Lucchi & Alexandra Troi, 2020. "Applied Research of the Hygrothermal Behaviour of an Internally Insulated Historic Wall without Vapour Barrier: In Situ Measurements and Dynamic Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-22, July.
    14. Mariangela De Vita & Giulia Massari & Pierluigi De Berardinis, 2020. "Retrofit Methodology Based on Energy Simulation Modeling Applied for the Enhancement of a Historical Building in L’Aquila," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.
    15. Bottino-Leone, Dario & Larcher, Marco & Herrera-Avellanosa, Daniel & Haas, Franziska & Troi, Alexandra, 2019. "Evaluation of natural-based internal insulation systems in historic buildings through a holistic approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 521-531.
    16. Fedorczak-Cisak, Małgorzata & Radziszewska-Zielina, Elżbieta & Białkiewicz, Andrzej & Prociak, Aleksander & Steidl, Tomasz & Tatara, Tadeusz & Żychowska, Maria & Muniak, Damian Piotr, 2022. "Energy efficiency improvement by using hygrothermal diagnostics algorithm for historical religious buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    17. Alessandro Franco & Lorenzo Miserocchi & Daniele Testi, 2021. "HVAC Energy Saving Strategies for Public Buildings Based on Heat Pumps and Demand Controlled Ventilation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, September.
    18. Bastien, Diane & Winther-Gaasvig, Martin, 2018. "Influence of driving rain and vapour diffusion on the hygrothermal performance of a hygroscopic and permeable building envelope," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 288-297.
    19. Luca Sbrogiò & Carlotta Bevilacqua & Gabriele De Sordi & Ivano Michelotto & Marco Sbrogiò & Antonio Toniolo & Christian Tosato, 2021. "Strategies for Structural and Energy Improvement in Mid-Rise Unreinforced Masonry Apartment Buildings. A Case Study in Mestre (Northeast Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-24, August.
    20. Khadidja Rahmani & Atef Ahriz & Nahla Bouaziz, 2022. "Development of a New Residential Energy Management Approach for Retrofit and Transition, Based on Hybrid Energy Sources," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:319-:d:1559916. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.