Factors Influencing Energy-Efficiency Retrofits in Commercial and Institutional Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Renovating existing buildings to render them more energy efficient is critical. However, current energy-efficiency efforts in the building sector remain insufficient. Despite the growing literature related to energy efficiency in buildings, context-driven reasons for stakeholders to undertake energy-efficiency retrofits remain less understood. The researchers conducted a systematic literature review to synthesize and consolidate the results of studies worldwide from 2009 to 2020, examining factors and associated contexts that influence building stakeholders’ decisions to implement energy-efficiency retrofits. The review involved searching databases and topic-specific journals using multiple keywords and synonyms for energy-efficiency retrofits and decision-making. The initial search yielded 25,093 articles, and 134 were further assessed for inclusion and exclusion. Forty-two of those articles met the criteria for inclusion and were examined to evaluate the factors and context associated with the decisions related to energy-efficiency retrofits. Recent relevant research was analyzed, considering methodologies, regions, economic development, building types, participant characteristics, and study size. Based on the extensive review of the literature, this study identified 30 factors that can be categorized under seven decision criteria involved in determining retrofits: economic feasibility, team process, technical practicality, institutional characteristic, governmental policy, occupant impact, and environmental impact. The main factors that influenced energy retrofit decisions included life cycle cost, coordination and collaboration, system compatibility, internal value, government commitment, satisfaction and well-being, and eco-friendly installation. Variations regarding factors influencing stakeholders’ perceptions among different regions and building types were also examined. The study found that risk management, technology readiness, and standards and regulations were more significant in countries with developing economies. Conversely, system compatibility, reputation, and political influence were more important in developed economies. The findings from this study provide insights into future research that may guide the development of more context-appropriate strategies that drive stakeholders to implement energy-efficiency retrofits in their buildings.