Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios
With growing concerns over energy and heat-related mortality/morbidity rates, enhancing building performances is key to improving the health and well-being of building occupants while reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, in line with the UK Government’s Net-Zero targets. This study investi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/1/80 |
| _version_ | 1826883059813711872 |
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| author | Lucienne G. Basaly Arman Hashemi Heba Elsharkawy Darryl Newport Nancy Mahmoud Badawy |
| author_facet | Lucienne G. Basaly Arman Hashemi Heba Elsharkawy Darryl Newport Nancy Mahmoud Badawy |
| author_sort | Lucienne G. Basaly |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With growing concerns over energy and heat-related mortality/morbidity rates, enhancing building performances is key to improving the health and well-being of building occupants while reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, in line with the UK Government’s Net-Zero targets. This study investigates the impacts of different retrofitting scenarios on overheating risk and energy performance in social housing for current and future climate conditions. Dynamic thermal simulations were carried out using Design Summer Year (DSY) weather files in DesignBuilder software for selected case study buildings. Winter performance was analysed using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index, while summer results were assessed according to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Technical Memorandum 59 (CIBSE TM59) guidelines. The findings revealed that bedrooms, especially those facing south, were at high risk of overheating. Factors such as building construction, the number of exposed surfaces, and window area influenced the risks. External wall insulation outperformed internal wall insulation in improving summer comfort. In the winter, Passivhaus standards with natural ventilation ensured thermal comfort across all zones, with a 41–53% reduction in heating energy consumption under current weather conditions. The risk of overheating and associated health issues significantly increased for the future weather scenarios. Further investigation into ventilation strategies, occupant behaviour, and passive design is required to mitigate overheating risks while reducing energy consumption in buildings. |
| first_indexed | 2025-02-17T03:35:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-46e051188c494294b2fc3b12d94294b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-17T03:35:32Z |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-46e051188c494294b2fc3b12d94294b32025-01-10T13:15:58ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-12-011518010.3390/buildings15010080Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather ScenariosLucienne G. Basaly0Arman Hashemi1Heba Elsharkawy2Darryl Newport3Nancy Mahmoud Badawy4Architecture and Urban Planning Department, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, EgyptSchool of Architecture Computing and Engineering, University of East London, London E16 2RD, UKDepartment of Architecture and Landscape, Kingston School of Art, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, London KT1 2QJ, UKSuffolk Sustainability Institute, University of Suffolk, Ipswich IP4 1QJ, UKArchitecture and Urban Planning Department, Port Said University, Port Fouad 42524, EgyptWith growing concerns over energy and heat-related mortality/morbidity rates, enhancing building performances is key to improving the health and well-being of building occupants while reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, in line with the UK Government’s Net-Zero targets. This study investigates the impacts of different retrofitting scenarios on overheating risk and energy performance in social housing for current and future climate conditions. Dynamic thermal simulations were carried out using Design Summer Year (DSY) weather files in DesignBuilder software for selected case study buildings. Winter performance was analysed using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index, while summer results were assessed according to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Technical Memorandum 59 (CIBSE TM59) guidelines. The findings revealed that bedrooms, especially those facing south, were at high risk of overheating. Factors such as building construction, the number of exposed surfaces, and window area influenced the risks. External wall insulation outperformed internal wall insulation in improving summer comfort. In the winter, Passivhaus standards with natural ventilation ensured thermal comfort across all zones, with a 41–53% reduction in heating energy consumption under current weather conditions. The risk of overheating and associated health issues significantly increased for the future weather scenarios. Further investigation into ventilation strategies, occupant behaviour, and passive design is required to mitigate overheating risks while reducing energy consumption in buildings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/1/80thermal comfortoverheatingpassive designsocial housingenergy performance |
| spellingShingle | Lucienne G. Basaly Arman Hashemi Heba Elsharkawy Darryl Newport Nancy Mahmoud Badawy Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios Buildings thermal comfort overheating passive design social housing energy performance |
| title | Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios |
| title_full | Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios |
| title_short | Effects of Retrofit Strategies on Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Social Housing for Current and Future Weather Scenarios |
| title_sort | effects of retrofit strategies on thermal comfort and energy performance in social housing for current and future weather scenarios |
| topic | thermal comfort overheating passive design social housing energy performance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/1/80 |
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