Optimization of emission reducing energy retrofits in Finnish apartment buildings

¹ Aalto University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PO Box 14400, 00076, Aalto, Finland
² Tampere University of Technoloy, Department of Civil Engineering, PO Box 527, 33101, Tampere, Finland

^* Corresponding author: janne.p.hirvonen@aalto.fi

Abstract

This study examined the cost-optimality of energy renovation on Finnish apartment buildings of different ages, built according to different energy performance requirements. Multi-objective optimization was utilized to minimize both CO₂ emissions and life cycle cost (LCC). IDA-ICE simulations were performed to obtain the hourly heating demand of the buildings. Four building age classes and three heating systems (district heating, exhaust air heat pump and ground-source heat pump) were separately optimized. With district heating, it was possible to reduce emissions by 11%, while also reducing LCC. With heat pumps cost-savings could be achieved while reducing emissions by over 49%. With maximal (not cost-effective) investments, emissions could be reduced by more than 70% in all examined cases. In all cases, the cheapest solutions included solar electricity and sewage heat recovery. In old buildings, window upgrades and additional roof insulation were cost-effective. In new buildings, demand-based ventilation was included in all optimal solutions.