Modelling and simulation of low-risk energy retrofit measures for Traditional Listed Dwellings in the UK

Abstract

The UK owns the oldest dwellings in Europe. Most of them have special historic and/or architectural value but low energy performance and are responsible for high operational carbon emissions. Energy retrofit of this part of the stock is much needed but problematic, due to the risks associated with altering their complex thermo-hygrometric behavior and their heritage features, which limit the range of suitable interventions. This study aimed to propose a range of suitable energy retrofit measures for Traditional Listed Dwellings (TLDs) in the South-East of England. It used representative case studies, selected in the city of Brighton and Hove, and devised a mixed-methods approach to model their energy performance and carbon emissions, before and after the application of interventions; the results obtained from dynamic energy simulation were assessed by means of parametric and sensitivity analysis. Providing an overview of the methodology adopted in the study, this paper presents the results of its first stage, aimed at addressing low-risk interventions. The discussion shows that the range of energy and carbon savings potential of the investigated measures is strictly intertwined with the range of baseline conditions of the dwellings investigated; the simulation of the retrofit interventions - individually and combined - highlighted the major effectiveness of draught-proofing amongst the low-risk retrofit measures for this part of the stock. The main novelty of this paper lays in the rigorous, layered, and systemic approach taken to assess low-risk energy retrofit solutions for TLDs by applying and testing them on multiple representative case studies.