PERFORMANCE OF ENERGY ANALYZING AND RETROFITTING TRADITIONAL HOUSING: THE ALBANIAN CLIMATE CASE

Abstract

Building energy consumption constitutes a significant portion of total energy usage. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing emphasis on the development of energy-efficient buildings as a crucial strategy for promoting sustainable development. This paper presents a research on the thermal efficiency of traditional residential houses constructed in Albania during the 18th and 19th centuries focusing on adaptation and improvement of current traditional buildings in order to meet the pressing demand to increase energy efficiency in the residential sector. Three distinct cities' energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort levels were investigated; one traditional building is chosen for each city. By offering a new viewpoint on the relationship between thermal indoor comfort and energy consumption in traditional buildings. Using a thorough methodology that encompasses field data collecting, energy performance models, and retrofitting techniques this study uses building performance models based on energy bills to evaluate the patterns of existing energy use and identify the most efficient options. Moreover, the residences underwent additional assessment using parametric simulation with Design Builder software. The outcomes of the simulation that was run provide a crucial basis for renovating traditional and historical buildings in climates with Mediterranean temperatures.