Assessment of Passive Retrofitting Scenarios in Heritage Residential Buildings in Hot, Dry Climates

Hanan S.S. Ibrahim, Ahmed Z. Khan, Waqas Ahmed Mahar, Shady Attia and Yehya Serag
Additional contact information
Hanan S.S. Ibrahim: Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism Lab, Department of BATir, School of Engineering (EPB), Free University of Brussels/Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Ahmed Z. Khan: Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism Lab, Department of BATir, School of Engineering (EPB), Free University of Brussels/Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Waqas Ahmed Mahar: Sustainable Building Design (SBD) Lab, Department of UEE, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Shady Attia: Sustainable Building Design (SBD) Lab, Department of UEE, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Yehya Serag: Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Future University in Egypt (FUE), Cairo 11835, Egypt

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-27

Abstract: Retrofitting heritage buildings for energy efficiency is not always easy where cultural values are highly concerned, which requires an integrated approach. This paper aims to assess the potential of applying passive retrofitting scenarios to enhance indoor thermal comfort of heritage buildings in North Africa, as a hot climate, a little attention has been paid to retrofit built heritage in that climate. A mixed-mode ventilation residential building in Cairo, Egypt, was selected as a case study. The study combines field measurements and observations with energy simulations. A simulation model was created and calibrated on the basis of monitored data in the reference building, and the thermal comfort range was evaluated. Sets of passive retrofitting scenarios were proposed. The results (based on the ASHRAE-55-2020 adaptive comfort model at 90% acceptability limits) showed that the annual thermal comfort in the reference building is very low, i.e., 31.4%. The application of hybrid passive retrofitting scenarios significantly impacts indoor thermal comfort in the reference building, where annual comfort hours of up to 66% can be achieved. The originality of this work lies in identifying the most effective energy measures to improve indoor thermal comfort that are optimal from a conservation point of view. The findings contribute to set a comprehensive retrofitting tool that avoids potential risks for the conservation of residential heritage buildings in hot climates.

Keywords: adaptive thermal comfort; reference building; mixed-mode building; building simulation; field measurements; Egypt; downtown Cairo; Khedivial Cairo (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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