Multi-objective optimization for building retrofit strategies: A model and an application

Due to growing limitations on land use and awareness of sustainability concerns, the building retrofit market has faced increasing opportunities worldwide. Several technological/constructive options are available to improve energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality in buildings. The identification of the most appropriate retrofitting options is a topic of outstanding importance given the potential costs and impacts involved.This paper presents a multi-objective optimization model to assist stakeholders in the definition of intervention measures aimed at minimizing the energy use in the building in a cost effective manner, while satisfying the occupant needs and requirements. An existing house needing refurbishment is taken as a case study to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed multi-objective model in a real-world situation. The results corroborate the practicability of this approach and highlight potential problems that may arise.

► We present a multi-objective optimization model to assess technology choices in the built environment.
► The model allows for simultaneous consideration of all available combinations of retrofit actions.
► The model is used to provide a compromise solution for a case study.
► Tchebycheff programming employed for the solution of model under study.
► The results show the feasibility of this methodology, and highlight the potential problems.