Energy retrofitting effect on perceived indoor climate: A case study of Estonian multi-family buildings
(2023) AEBM01 20231Division of Energy and Building Design
Department of Architecture and Built Environment
- Abstract
- Energy renovations are an important measure for achieving the European Union’s target of climate neutrality by 2050. To meet the EU goal, Estonia needs to fully renovate 14 000 multi-family buildings by that time, affecting the indoor environment conditions of a large number of people. To gain knowledge for the upcoming renovations, the experience of the people living in the multi-family buildings is a valuable source of information on how the current energy renovation methods affect people’s indoor climate perception.
The study compared occupants’ indoor environment experience in the same type of buildings in five different groups, where one of the buildings was renovated in recent years and the other building was still in its original... (More) - Energy renovations are an important measure for achieving the European Union’s target of climate neutrality by 2050. To meet the EU goal, Estonia needs to fully renovate 14 000 multi-family buildings by that time, affecting the indoor environment conditions of a large number of people. To gain knowledge for the upcoming renovations, the experience of the people living in the multi-family buildings is a valuable source of information on how the current energy renovation methods affect people’s indoor climate perception.
The study compared occupants’ indoor environment experience in the same type of buildings in five different groups, where one of the buildings was renovated in recent years and the other building was still in its original state. The case study buildings were five renovated and six non-renovated multi-family houses built between the 1960s and 1990s in the Tallinn area in Estonia. A questionnaire survey regarding inhabitants’ indoor climate experience and window airing habits was conducted and information about energy retrofitting methods used in the buildings was gathered. Additionally, buildings’ measured energy consumption was examined.
The result showed that occupant satisfaction with indoor climate in terms of thermal comfort and air quality could be improved significantly in renovated buildings, compared to their control building in the original state. Still, there are factors such as overheating in the summer, insufficient soundproofing between the apartments, and smell disturbances from inside and outside the building that the current level of renovation solutions does not resolve. However, energy renovation benefits to the occupant include reduced heating energy consumption and increased satisfaction with their overall living environment. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- Improved perceived indoor environment in multi-family buildings after energy retrofitting.
The case study focused on the perceived indoor climate in renovated and non-renovated multi-family buildings in Tallinn, Estonia. The results show significant improvement in the perceived indoor environment in retrofitted buildings compared to the non-retrofitted control buildings.
Estonia needs to fully renovate 14 000 multi-family buildings by 2050, to fulfill the European Union’s target of reaching climate neutrality. The planned energy renovations influence the living environment and indoor climate conditions of many people residing in these buildings. To gain knowledge for the upcoming renovations, the experience of the current residents... (More) - Improved perceived indoor environment in multi-family buildings after energy retrofitting.
The case study focused on the perceived indoor climate in renovated and non-renovated multi-family buildings in Tallinn, Estonia. The results show significant improvement in the perceived indoor environment in retrofitted buildings compared to the non-retrofitted control buildings.
Estonia needs to fully renovate 14 000 multi-family buildings by 2050, to fulfill the European Union’s target of reaching climate neutrality. The planned energy renovations influence the living environment and indoor climate conditions of many people residing in these buildings. To gain knowledge for the upcoming renovations, the experience of the current residents is a valuable source of information on how the energy renovation methods affect occupants’ perception of indoor climate.
A questionnaire survey was conducted in multi-family buildings to study how energy retrofits affect occupants’ perception of indoor environment factors. The occupants’ satisfaction with their indoor environment was compared in recently renovated buildings and in buildings in their original state. The case study involved five renovated buildings and six non-renovated multi-family houses, all built between the 1960s and 1990s, divided into five groups for result comparison. The questionnaire survey included questions about inhabitants’ perceptions of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, mold and moisture, noise, and occupants’ window airing habits. Information about buildings’ measured energy use was gathered and compared between the building groups. The aim of the study was to find out which perceived indoor environment aspects have enhanced after energy retrofitting and what aspects need to be further improved in future renovations. Moreover, the positive survey outcome in retrofitted buildings could nudge the people in non-renovated buildings to undertake the energy renovation process as well.
The result of the study demonstrated that thermal comfort and indoor air quality could be significantly improved with energy renovation. The occupants in renovated buildings were generally more satisfied with all aspects of their living environment and indoor climate. The outcome of the study also showed reduced disturbances from noise and smell factors, though current renovation measures do not remove the problems entirely. People still experienced difficulties with regulating ventilation and removing unwanted smells after the renovation and soundproofing between the apartments is still not satisfactory post-renovation. Moreover, the outcome of the study indicates there is a need for more effective summer indoor temperature control, such as incorporated solar shading design. The result regarding perceived winter indoor temperature shows a possibility for further energy savings, as more than 30 % of the respondents found the indoor temperature in the winter “warm” or “too warm”. However, the heating energy consumption was reduced after energy retrofitting.
Furthermore, the results showed that temperature and ventilation regulating options increase occupant satisfaction with their indoor environment. The study also found that elderly people were less satisfied with their general thermal comfort and perceived indoor temperatures as less warm than the younger age group. The subjectiveness of perceiving the indoor environment indicates the need for personal control options.
In conclusion, correct energy renovations can improve inhabitants’ indoor environment experience and enhance general satisfaction with their living conditions. Though there are issues that current-level renovations cannot entirely solve, energy renovations can increase occupant satisfaction in more ways than just energy savings and improved building’s appearance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9134403
- author
- Reinumägi, Kadri LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- AEBM01 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Indoor environment, Thermal comfort, Indoor Air Quality, Window airing habits, Energy renovation, Occupant survey
- language
- English
- id
- 9134403
- date added to LUP
- 2023-08-22 08:13:12
- date last changed
- 2023-08-22 08:13:12
@misc{9134403,
abstract = {{Energy renovations are an important measure for achieving the European Union’s target of climate neutrality by 2050. To meet the EU goal, Estonia needs to fully renovate 14 000 multi-family buildings by that time, affecting the indoor environment conditions of a large number of people. To gain knowledge for the upcoming renovations, the experience of the people living in the multi-family buildings is a valuable source of information on how the current energy renovation methods affect people’s indoor climate perception.
The study compared occupants’ indoor environment experience in the same type of buildings in five different groups, where one of the buildings was renovated in recent years and the other building was still in its original state. The case study buildings were five renovated and six non-renovated multi-family houses built between the 1960s and 1990s in the Tallinn area in Estonia. A questionnaire survey regarding inhabitants’ indoor climate experience and window airing habits was conducted and information about energy retrofitting methods used in the buildings was gathered. Additionally, buildings’ measured energy consumption was examined.
The result showed that occupant satisfaction with indoor climate in terms of thermal comfort and air quality could be improved significantly in renovated buildings, compared to their control building in the original state. Still, there are factors such as overheating in the summer, insufficient soundproofing between the apartments, and smell disturbances from inside and outside the building that the current level of renovation solutions does not resolve. However, energy renovation benefits to the occupant include reduced heating energy consumption and increased satisfaction with their overall living environment.}},
author = {{Reinumägi, Kadri}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Energy retrofitting effect on perceived indoor climate: A case study of Estonian multi-family buildings}},
year = {{2023}},
}