Multi-Objective Optimization of Green Building Retrofit Strategies Considering Thermal Comfort, Energy Efficiency, and Indoor Air Quality in Tropical Climate Zones
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70062/greenengineering.v1i4.255Keywords:
Building Retrofitting, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Multi-objective Optimization, Thermal ComfortAbstract
This study investigates optimal retrofit strategies for buildings in tropical climates, focusing on energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality (IAQ). Given the unique challenges of high temperatures, humidity, and energy demands in tropical regions, traditional retrofitting methods often fall short of achieving a balance between these critical factors. By employing a multi-objective optimization approach, this research identifies the most effective combination of retrofit solutions, including insulation, natural ventilation, and high-performance window treatments. The results show that the proposed retrofit strategy significantly reduces cooling energy consumption, while maintaining or improving occupant comfort and IAQ. Insulation, particularly external insulation, proved to be the most effective in reducing heat transfer, while natural ventilation strategies and advanced materials further contributed to improving thermal regulation. The study demonstrates that integrating passive and active retrofit measures, tailored specifically to tropical climates, leads to optimal building performance. The multi-objective optimization algorithm (NSGA-II) allowed for the generation of Pareto-optimal solutions, offering a set of trade-offs between energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and IAQ. These findings are particularly relevant for policymakers and building professionals seeking sustainable retrofit solutions in tropical regions. The study also highlights the importance of integrating energy efficiency and IAQ considerations in retrofit strategies to avoid compromising occupant health. Further research is recommended to explore the integration of advanced materials, such as phase change materials (PCMs), and to enhance IAQ management in retrofitted buildings, ensuring long-term sustainability and occupant well-being in tropical environments.
References
Alkhateeb, E., & Altan, H. (2017). Energy efficiency vs. Indoor air quality: a review of optimal retrofit of existing buildings. ZEMCH International Conference, 100 – 111. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202018448&partnerID=40&md5=f1a1694effabcd33dc3aeed296e12d9d
Che, W. W., Tso, C. Y., Sun, L., Ip, D. Y. K., Lee, H., Chao, C. Y. H., & Lau, A. K. H. (2019). Energy consumption, indoor thermal comfort and air quality in a commercial office with retrofitted heat, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Energy and Buildings, 201, 202 – 215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.06.029
Chen, Y., & Shi, X. (2023). Surrogate Based Multi-objective Optimization for Energy-Saving Building Design. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 211 LNCE, 311 – 318. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5217-3_30
Chung-Camargo, K., González, J., Chen Austin, M., Carpino, C., Mora, D., & Arcuri, N. (2024). Advances in Retrofitting Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Tropical Climates: A Systematic Review and Analysis. Buildings, 14(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061633
Danial, C. E., Mahmoud, A. H. A., & Tawfik, M. Y. (2023). Methodology for retrofitting energy in existing office buildings using building information modelling programs. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 14(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2023.102175
Delgarm, N., Sajadi, B., & Delgarm, S. (2016). Multi-objective optimization of building energy performance and indoor thermal comfort: A new method using artificial bee colony (ABC). Energy and Buildings, 131, 42 – 53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.09.003
Dwivedi, P., Ganesh, S. A., Sudhakar, K., Soni, A., & Priya, S. S. (2023). Thermal and Electrical Performance of Uncooled, Nature-Cooled, and Photovoltaic Thermal Module. International Journal of Photoenergy, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4720545
Esfandiari, M., Zaid, S. M., Ismail, M. A., Hafezi, M. R., Asadi, I., & Mohammadi, S. (2021). A field study on thermal comfort and cooling load demand optimization in a tropical climate. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212425
Ferrucci, F., Stitou, D., Ortega, P., & Lucas, F. (2017). Mechanical compressor-driven thermochemical storage for cooling applications in tropical insular regions. Energy Procedia, 142, 3415 – 3420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.12.479
Gooroochurn, M. (2023). Adaptive Passive Measures for Tropical Climates—A Case Study for Mauritius. Green Energy and Technology, 117 – 131. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24208-3_9
Handayani, K. N., Murtyas, S., Wijayanta, A. T., & Hagishima, A. (2024). Thermal Comfort Challenges in Home-Based Enterprises: A Field Study from Surakarta’s Urban Low-Cost Housing in a Tropical Climate. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166838
Hugentobler, W. (2023). Humidity is a critical factor for indoor air quality. Healthy Buildings Europe 2023: Beyond Disciplinary Boundaries, 1, 268 – 273. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85192919808&partnerID=40&md5=e09845d6db5077854297a9e6a8264bd8
Humphreys, M. A. (2015). Thermal comfort temperatures and the habits of hobbits. In Standards for Thermal Comfort: Indoor Air Temperature Standards for the 21st Century. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203860465
Huo, H., Deng, X., Wei, Y., Liu, Z., Liu, M., & Tang, L. (2024). Optimization of energy-saving renovation technology for existing buildings in a hot summer and cold winter area. Journal of Building Engineering, 86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108597
Induja, V., Nair, M. G., & Suryan, A. (2023). Energy-Efficient Retrofitting of Buildings in the Tropics Through Daylight and Solar Radiation Harnessing. BuildSys 2023 - Proceedings of The10th ACM International Conference on Systems for Energy-Efficient Buildings, Cities, and Transportation, 509 – 514. https://doi.org/10.1145/3600100.3627031
Khoukhi, M., Darsaleh, A. F., & Ali, S. (2020). Retrofitting an existing office building in the UAE towards achieving low-energy building. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062573
Kitsopoulou, A., Ziozas, N., Iliadis, P., Bellos, E., Tzivanidis, C., & Nikolopoulos, N. (2024). Energy performance analysis of alternative building retrofit interventions for the four climatic zones of Greece. Journal of Building Engineering, 87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109015
Kosny, J., Misiopecki, C., Fallahi, A., Shukla, N., Du Pont, W. C., & Carbary, L. D. (2014). Thermal design of window-wall interface in wall energy retrofits using high-performance vacuum insulation. ASHRAE Transactions, 120, 90 – 106. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84937833867&partnerID=40&md5=352ce27ee0f0fed23a277f871dfe7747
Lazzarin, R. (2019). Renewable energy technologies in air conditioning: State of the art and perspectives. Refrigeration Science and Technology, 2019-August, 130 – 141. https://doi.org/10.18462/iir.icr.2019.1846
Li, N., Cheung, S. C. P., Li, X., & Tu, J. (2015). Multi-objective optimization of thermal comfort and energy consumption in a typical office room using CFD and NSM-PSO. Proceedings - 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM 2015, 78 – 84. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85080863942&partnerID=40&md5=856922215db63434e4dba59fda73abc6
Lu, Y., Li, P., Lee, Y. P., & Song, X. (2021). An integrated decision-making framework for existing building retrofits based on energy simulation and cost-benefit analysis. Journal of Building Engineering, 43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103200
Manu, F. W., Koranteng, C., & Amekudzi, L. K. (2018). Evaluation of subjective occupant thermal comfort in the selected buildings in upper east region of Ghana. Proceedings of 10th Windsor Conference: Rethinking Comfort, 1162 – 1171. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85089265141&partnerID=40&md5=72f46a4c31f57c3af9e855d07f5f3040
Mucha, W., Mainka, A., & Brągoszewska, E. (2024). Impact of ventilation system retrofitting on indoor air quality in a single-family building. Building and Environment, 262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111830
Ohene, E., Hsu, S.-C., & Chan, A. P. C. (2022). Feasibility and retrofit guidelines towards net-zero energy buildings in tropical climates: A case of Ghana. Energy and Buildings, 269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112252
Onyenokporo, N. C., & Ochedi, E. T. (2019). Low-cost retrofit packages for residential buildings in hot-humid Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 37(3), 250 – 272. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-01-2018-0010
Pandey, P. R., Dong, B., & Sharifi, N. (2024). Quantifying the Impacts of Building Retrofit on Energy Consumption and Occupant Behavior: A Case Study on Residential Dorms. ASHRAE Transactions, 130, 633 – 641. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85198950203&partnerID=40&md5=0366026870fcf04a22df5fbd9bbdc948
Prakash, D. (2017). A review on heat dissipating passive cooling techniques for residential buildings at tropical region. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 12(8), 2120 – 2140. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026908696&partnerID=40&md5=3d10b445cf7bdefba5b4792485800280
Rodriguez, C., Coronado, M., D’Alessandro, M., & Medina, J. (2019). The importance of standardised data-collection methods in the improvement of thermal comfort assessment models for developing countries in the tropics. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11154180
Sari, L. H., Ghassan, M. L., & Munir, A. (2023). Air Movement to Remove Barriers and Provide Thermal Comfort in the Global South: A Case Study of a Classroom in the Warm Humid Tropics, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Green Energy and Technology, 59 – 71. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24208-3_5
Sobhy, I., Benhamou, B., & Brakez, A. (2021). Effect of Retrofit Scenarios on Energy Performance and Indoor Thermal Comfort of a Typical Single-Family House in Different Climates of Morocco. Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4051051
Soebiyan, V., Koerniawan, M. D., & Triyadi, S. (2023). A review of hybrid ventilation on humid tropics climate. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1169(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1169/1/012054
Spentzou, E., Cook, M. J., & Emmitt, S. (2019). Modelling natural ventilation for summer thermal comfort in Mediterranean dwellings. International Journal of Ventilation, 18(1), 28 – 45. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733315.2017.1302658
Sun, Y., & Huang, Z. (2014). Study on passive energy efficient retrofit of existing buildings in humid tropical area: Summery and Extension based on Research in Lingnan Area of China. 30th International PLEA Conference: Sustainable Habitat for Developing Societies: Choosing the Way Forward - Proceedings, 3, 406 – 413. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85088356931&partnerID=40&md5=93c882469d4808df1eb0227b75f49484
Tariku, F., & Simpson, Y. (2015). Seasonal Indoor Humidity Levels of Apartment Suites in a Mild Coastal Climate. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000173
