Evaluation of Energy and CO 2 Reduction Through Envelope Retrofitting: A Case Study of a Public Building in South Korea Conducted Using Utility Billing Data

Hansol Lee and Gyeong-Seok Choi ()
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Hansol Lee: Department of Building Energy Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang 10223, Republic of Korea
Gyeong-Seok Choi: Department of Building Energy Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang 10223, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: This study empirically evaluates the energy and carbon reduction effects of an envelope retrofit applied to an aging public building in South Korea. Unlike previous studies that primarily relied on simulation-based analyses, this work fills the empirical research gap by using actual utility billing data collected over one pre-retrofit year (2019) and two post-retrofit years (2023–2024). The retrofit included improvements to exterior walls, roofs, and windows, aiming to enhance thermal insulation and airtightness. The analysis revealed that monthly electricity consumption was reduced by 14.7% in 2023 and 8.0% in 2024 compared to that in the baseline year, with corresponding decreases in electricity costs and carbon dioxide emissions. Seasonal variations were evident: energy savings were significant in the winter due to reduced heating demand, while cooling energy use slightly increased in the summer, likely due to diminished solar heat gains resulting from improved insulation. By addressing both heating and cooling impacts, this study offers practical insights into the trade-offs of envelope retrofitting. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the real-world performance of retrofit technologies and providing data-driven evidence that can inform policies and strategies for improving energy efficiency in public buildings.

Keywords: public building retrofit; building envelope retrofit; CO 2 emission reduction; utility billing data analysis (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: 2025
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