Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Analysis of Building Retrofits: A Case Study in Abu Dhabi

Abstract

Highly developed nations worldwide encounter a notable energy demand as their main obstacle. Furthermore, the building sector plays a significant role in contributing to carbon emissions and climate change. In the UAE, buildings consume the largest portion of energy due to the improper selection of design parameters during the building's design phase, which are specifically tailored for the remarkably hot climate in the country. As a result, various studies, initiatives, and policies are focused on enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. Additionally, retrofitting existing buildings has emerged as a crucial approach to achieving energy efficiency, resulting in several benefits such as reduced costs for operation and maintenance. This research performed an analysis of a commercial building in Abu Dhabi using DesignBuilder, based on energy modeling and simulation. Five main retrofits were examined, accompanied by a cost analysis to determine the most appropriate retrofit for future investments. The results demonstrate that increasing the cooling set point temperature by 4 degrees led to a 19.53% decrease in the annual cooling load. Additionally, retrofitting the chiller resulted in a 16.11% reduction in the annual cooling load, whereas wall insulation had the least impact as a retrofit. It was observed that improving the chiller's coefficient of performance (COP) offered significant advantages, with a payback period of around 5 years, making it the most favorable retrofit for investment. However, the glazing and wall insulation retrofits were considered less beneficial due to their high initial costs and long payback periods.