An optimization method for building retrofit planning based on a grouping method and notch test data

The high level energy consumption of the building sector is a common challenge faced by human beings. Building retrofit is an effective way to reduce the energy consumption of the building sector. To further promote the transition to a green building sector, many green building policies in the world are published. However, making a systematic whole-building retrofit plan optimally considering green building policies requires to solve a nonlinear mixed integer optimization problem. In addition, the whole-building retrofit project must be supported by a comprehensive and expensive energy audit. This study proposes a simplified optimization method for whole-building retrofit considering energy performance certificate standard (EPC) based on a grouping method and notch test data, aiming at reducing the complexity of solving the optimization problem and eliminating the need of a detailed energy audit. A case study shows that 74% energy savings and an A rating from the EPC rating system can be achieved with a payback period of 51 months.