Energy signature approach for retrofit prioritization: A proposal for building identification methodology

Amidst the urgent call for carbon reduction, retrofitting existing buildings for energy efficiency has become imperative. Nonetheless, the challenge of selecting suitable buildings for retrofitting persists. This paper proposes a method for identifying retrofit target buildings using the heating Energy Signature (ES) approach to achieve effective carbon reduction through retrofitting. The method involves comparing the actual ES, derived from monthly heating energy usage in existing buildings, with the optimal ES based on the building's physical performance to assess the need for retrofitting or behavioral improvements. It takes into account factors such as building physical characteristics, occupants’ heating behavior, and outdoor environment, integrating ES parameters like balance-point temperature (BPT) and heating sensitivity. In practical application, the proposed method involves four steps. Step 1 collects five essential building data inputs from the building user. Step 2 supplements this information using open-source platforms to calculate the optimal ES parameters. Step 3 computes both the actual and optimal ES, and Step 4 compares these to identify energy inefficiencies. The results are then presented in a user-friendly format for intuitive understanding. Offering novelty, this method accurately identifies the causes of building energy consumption, streamlines calculation processes, requires minimal input data, and yields intuitive results. It furnishes valuable insights for stakeholders engaged in retrofitting projects and holds potential for the effective implementation of building retrofit policies on a larger scale.