Energy-saving potential and cost-effectiveness of active energy-efficiency measures for residential building in warm-humid climate

Abstract

The commitment for energy-efficiency improvement becomes increasingly important in the context of global initiatives for sustainable development, and buildings have a great potential in this regard. As part of achieving energy-efficiency in residential buildings, the present study has analyzed the energy-saving potential and economic viability of adopting active energy efficiency measures (EEMs) on a detached family house in warm-humid climate of South India. The EEMs considered were selective air-conditioning (AC), lighting control, thermostat setting, mixed-mode ventilation, and energy-efficient AC, lighting and appliances. The modeling and simulations were performed by a reliable software (DesignBuilder, V.6) to estimate the annual energy consumption of the building with and without EEMs. The individual and combined contributions of EEMs in reducing the building's energy performance index (EPI) were quantified, and their economic viability was assessed in terms of discounted payback period (DPP). The results showed that about 63.5% reduction in EPI was possible by implementing the proposed EEMs, and the DPP for the additional investment was estimated to be 4.94 years.