Energy Renovation of Residential Buildings in Hot and Temperate Mediterranean Zones Using Optimized Thermal Envelope Insulation Thicknesses: The Case of Spain

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges facing the European Union is the conversion of the existing residential building stock into nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) by 2050 through energy renovation, given that the residential sector is one of the largest consumers of final energy and that approximately two-thirds of existing dwellings were built before 1980. The objective of this study is to assess the energy, environmental, and economic impacts of the energy renovation of thermal envelopes of existing multi-family buildings in the hot and temperate climate zones of Spain by using life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to determine the optimal thicknesses of insulation to be added to the walls, roof, and first floor framework of the buildings and replacing existing building openings to achieve NZEBs. Four thermal insulation materials are considered with four different heating and cooling systems and ten different models. With the methodology developed, the best energy renovation solutions are estimated and then thermally simulated. In total, 67 of the 576 proposed energy renovation solutions achieve NZEBs. This study fills in the gap between LCCA estimates and reality.