A Sustainable Multi-Criteria Optimization Approach for the Energy Retrofit of Collective Housing in Algeria Using the ELECTRE III Tool

Nesrine Chabane, Abderahemane Mejedoub Mokhtari, Malika Kacemi, Zouaoui R. Harrat (), Nahla Hilal (), Naida Ademović and Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko
Additional contact information
Nesrine Chabane: Laboratoire Matériaux, Sols et Thermique (LMST), Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed Boudiaf (USTO-MB), 1505 El Menaouer, Oran 31000, Algeria
Abderahemane Mejedoub Mokhtari: Laboratoire Matériaux, Sols et Thermique (LMST), Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed Boudiaf (USTO-MB), 1505 El Menaouer, Oran 31000, Algeria
Malika Kacemi: Laboratoire Métropole Architecture Urbanisme Société (LAMAUS), Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Oran Mohamed Boudiaf (USTO-MB), 1505 El Menaouer, Oran 31000, Algeria
Zouaoui R. Harrat: Laboratoire des Structures et Matériaux Avancées dans le Génie Civil et Travaux Publics, Djilllali Liabes University, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria
Nahla Hilal: Scientific Affairs Department, University of Fallujah, Fallujah 31002, Iraq
Naida Ademović: Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Sarajevo, Patriotske lige St. 30, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimir Preloga St. 3, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-35

Abstract: This study proposes a sustainable multi-criteria optimization framework for the energy retrofit of collective residential buildings in Algeria, particularly those constructed between the 1970s and 1980s. Through on-site surveys, energy consumption analysis, and seasonal temperature measurements, the high energy demand of these buildings was confirmed. Using EnergyPlus simulations based on Meteoblue weather data, 16 retrofit strategies were assessed—incorporating various insulating materials applied internally or externally (via rendering or cladding). The ELECTRE III decision-making tool was employed, supported by the Simos Revised Framework (SRF) for weighting environmental, economic, and social criteria. Results demonstrate that all strategies significantly reduce energy demand—by up to 72.5%, with reductions reaching 94.4% in winter and 43.5% in summer, depending on insulation type and placement. Improvements in indoor thermal comfort were also observed, with exterior insulation beneath cladding offering the best performance during winter, while exterior rendering also proved effective in the summer. The ELECTRE III analysis identified rock wool and polyurethane with fiber cement cladding as optimal insulation solutions. The proposed approach supports national energy policies and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a replicable model for large-scale building retrofits in similar climatic and architectural contexts.

Keywords: ELECTRE III; energy retrofit; insulation; residential buildings; simulation; strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4273/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4273/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4273-:d:1651677

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().