Feasibility Studies of Energy Retrofits – Case Studies of Nearly Zero-energy Building Renovation

Abstract

This paper analyses the feasibility of Nearly Zero-Energy Building Renovation from the technical, environmental, economic and social point of view using the energy consumption calculations for country-specific reference case buildings before renovation, after a traditional renovation and after a Nearly Zero-Energy Building Renovation (NZEBR) as the starting point. Technical feasibility is analyzed by examining the proven technology level, possible technical risks in renovation or with respect to the energy performance and assessment of the overall technical feasibility for individual NZEBR measures. Social feasibility is analyzed by examining the impact on living space and other social aspects and the overall assessment of social feasibility for individual NZEBR measures. Environmental feasibility is analyzed by comparing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of traditional renovation and NZEBR using the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) method. Economic feasibility is analyzed by comparing traditional renovation with NZEBR using the Life Cycle Costing (LCC) method.