Energy Retrofit

Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) post energy retrofit is essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of building occupants. In this study, a number of indoor air pollutants were measured in a sample of Irish homes pre and post deep energy retrofit (DER). Airborne concentrations of PM2.5 and formaldehyde showed significant increases (p <0.0001) post-retrofit. A health impact assessment was conducted and the results suggest that the greatest health burden (for lung cancer and all-cause mortality) was associated with exposure to PM2.5.

Building ventilation and retrofitting strategies for homes can bring multiple benefits in the context of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing carbon emissions in the building sector. However, current SDG approaches are fragmented, narrowly focusing on specific areas related to each goal, which now requires an integrated approach.

A significant challenge lies in decarbonising existing residential stock to meet higher energy performance standards, necessitating increased energy retrofit activity. Despite the importance of energy retrofits, challenges arise in maintaining indoor environmental quality. While positive air quality and health benefits have been reported through targeted energy-retrofit activities, there are also numerous cases where indoor pollutant concentrations increase post-retrofit.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is hazardous to human health, making it desirable to minimize exposure. Radon can infiltrate buildings and accumulate to concerning levels, especially in those with tight exterior envelopes and low fresh air exchange rates. Previous research has suggested that air sealing, a common tool for improving building energy efficiency, can increase indoor radon concentrations (Pigg et al. 2017).

The study proposes and compares low-cost strategies to improve the quality of existing building stocks, with special regard to a widespread Indian residential typology. A dynamic energy model of this particular local building typology was simulated with Energy Plus software and validated by comparing it with some original in situ measures, recorded by hourly step. The validated model was used to simulate a selection of low-cost and technically simple interventions, whose effects on the energy performance and indoor comfort were compared to the baseline case study.

The scientific literature often reports example of educational buildings with extremely poor ventilation performance. An in-field investigation for the environmental and energy assessment of a kindergarten in Milano, confirmed that operable windows were not operated when the average daily temperature dropped below 14 °C, jeopardizing indoor air quality and kids learning performance.