Life cycle costing analysis of deep energy retrofits of a mid-rise building to understand the impact of energy conservation measures

Building energy retrofits are crucial for achieving climate mitigation goals in Canada. To provide a roadmap for existing mid-rise building retrofits, a study was conducted to understand the required capital investment, energy savings, energy cost savings, and carbon footprint for mid-rise residential buildings in Canada. The study utilized EnergyPlus software to evaluate the pre-and post-retrofit operational energy performance of 11 energy retrofit measures for a typical multi-unit residential building (MURB) in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. Two base building models powered by natural gas (NG-building) and electricity (E-building) were created using SketchUP. The results indicated that implementing these energy retrofit measures can significantly reduce GHG emissions from 27.64 tCO2e to 3.77 tCO2e for the NG-building. Solar PV systems, air source heat pumps (ASHPs), water heater heat pumps (HPs), and HRV enhancement have great potential for achieving substantial energy savings compared to other retrofit measures. Temperature setback control systems, lighting upgrades and airtightness enhancements present the best economic performance from a life cycle perspective. However, window replacements, ASHPs and solar PV systems are not economical choices due to their higher life cycle costs. Although ASHPs can increase life cycle costs for the NG-building initially, with financial incentives provided by governments they could be the best choice to reduce GHG emissions when stakeholders make decisions on implementing energy retrofits. The study also evaluated the cumulative effect of annual energy cost and GHG emissions for both E-building and NG-building models. The results showed that while E-building has lower annual energy costs than NG-building after implementing retrofit measures; however, NG-building can produce significant reductions in GHG emissions. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into identifying key areas where mid-rise buildings can undergo retrofits to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions while also providing economic benefits from a life cycle perspective. These findings can help stakeholders make informed decisions about implementing sustainable retrofits in their buildings towards achieving climate mitigation goals in Canada.

Achieving Climate Mitigation Goals in Canada Through Building Energy Retrofits

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is essential for mitigating its effects. In Canada, buildings account for 12% of total GHG emissions and are a major contributor to climate change. To reduce these emissions, energy retrofits can be implemented in existing mid-rise residential buildings (MURBs). A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia provides valuable insights into identifying key areas where MURBs can undergo retrofits to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions while also providing economic benefits from a life cycle perspective.

Study Overview

The study utilized EnergyPlus software to evaluate the pre-and post-retrofit operational energy performance of 11 energy retrofit measures for a typical MURB in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. Two base building models powered by natural gas (NG-building) and electricity (E-building) were created using SketchUP. The results indicated that implementing these energy retrofit measures can significantly reduce GHG emissions from 27.64 tCO2e to 3.77 tCO2e for the NG-building model.

Key Findings

Solar PV systems, air source heat pumps (ASHPs), water heater heat pumps (HPs), and HRV enhancement have great potential for achieving substantial energy savings compared to other retrofit measures. Temperature setback control systems, lighting upgrades and airtightness enhancements present the best economic performance from a life cycle perspective due to their lower life cycle costs when compared with window replacements, ASHPs and solar PV systems which have higher life cycle costs initially but may become more economical with government incentives provided towards their implementation as they offer greater reductions in GHG emissions than other options available currently..

The study also evaluated the cumulative effect of annual energy cost and GHG emissions for both E-building and NG-building models over 10 years period after implementing all 11 retrofit measures considered in this research paper; it was found that while E-building has lower annual energy costs than NG-building after implementing all 11 retrofit measures; however, NG-building can produce significant reductions in GHG emissions over time if stakeholders make decisions on implementing sustainable retrofits such as ASHPs or Solar PV Systems despite their higher initial life cycle costs due to financial incentives provided by governments towards their implementation .

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into identifying key areas where mid-rise buildings can undergo retrofits to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions while also providing economic benefits from a life cycle perspective. These findings can help stakeholders make informed decisions about implementing sustainable retrofits in their buildings towards achieving climate mitigation goals in Canada.