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

Luis M. López-Ochoa, Jesús Las-Heras-Casas, Luis M. López-González and César García-Lozano
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Luis M. López-Ochoa: TENECO Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of La Rioja, 26004 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
Jesús Las-Heras-Casas: TENECO Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of La Rioja, 26004 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
Luis M. López-González: TENECO Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of La Rioja, 26004 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
César García-Lozano: TENECO Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of La Rioja, 26004 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-34

Abstract: The residential sector of the European Union consumes 27% of the final energy of the European Union, and approximately two-thirds of the existing dwellings in the European Union were built before 1980. For this reason, the European Union aims to transform the existing residential building stock into nearly zero-energy buildings by 2050 through energy renovation. The most effective method to achieve this goal is to increase the thermal insulation of opaque elements of the thermal envelope. This study aims to assess the energy, environmental and economic impacts of the energy renovation of the thermal envelopes that are typical of the existing multi-family buildings of the 26 provincial capitals in the cold climate zones of Spain. To achieve this goal, the insulation thickness to be added to the walls, roof and first floor framework is optimized by a life cycle cost analysis, and the existing building openings are replaced, thus minimizing both the total heating costs and the total heating and cooling costs. The study uses four thermal insulation materials for four different heating and cooling systems in 10 different models. The results obtained will be used to propose energy renovation solutions to achieve nearly zero-energy buildings both in Spain and in similar Mediterranean climate zones.

Keywords: optimum insulation thickness; life cycle cost analysis; energy renovation; residential buildings; nearly zero-energy buildings; Spain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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