Retrofit calculations

Retrofit calculations ensure accurate energy savings and carbon emissions projections when planning future retrofits. These calculations use the resource consumption data provided by customers to model the impact of retrofit measures, updating the energy and carbon performance of the building portfolio.

How Retrofit calculations work

When a Retrofit is planned for a building, the existing energy consumption data is adjusted to account for expected energy savings. The new resource and emission values replace the old ones, starting from the year the Retrofit is scheduled. These updates are displayed in the Retrofit simulation dashboard.

Depending on the type of Retrofit:

• The latest recorded resource consumption is used.

• A new emission factor is applied for carbon emission simulations.

• Percentage reductions in heating or electricity demand entered by the user are incorporated into the calculation.

For more information on managing retrofits, see Manage retrofits.

Example: Upgrading to district heating

Consider a scenario where a building in Germany plans to upgrade its heating system from oil-based to district heating in 2025 while also enhancing its facade insulation. This Retrofit is expected to yield two key benefits: a reduction in carbon emissions through the transition to district heating and a 25% decrease in heating demand due to improved insulation. These changes align with the building's sustainability goals by minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Steps to perform Retrofit calculations:

1. Utilize the latest heating consumption data: Begin by using the most recent heating consumption data recorded for the building. Accurate baseline data ensures reliable calculations.

2. Apply relevant emission factors: Starting in 2025, apply the emission factor for district heating specific to Germany. This factor remains valid through 2050, ensuring consistency in assessing long-term emission reductions. For more details, refer to the Emission factors.

3. Incorporate insulation improvements: Factor in the user-defined 25% reduction in heating demand due to the planned facade insulation enhancements. This step is critical to reflecting the full impact of the retrofit on energy efficiency.

4. Review the results: The outcomes of these calculations are displayed in the Retrofit view preview and the Retrofit simulation dashboard. These tools provide clear insights into the projected carbon emission reductions and energy savings from the Retrofit.

Following these steps, users can simulate and evaluate the benefits of upgrading their building’s heating system and facade insulation. This enables data-driven decisions to modernize their property and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Retrofit: Heat pump

Heat pumps are highly efficient systems that transfer heat from external sources (air, ground, or water) to heat buildings. They consume less electricity compared to traditional heating systems, making them a sustainable choice for retrofits. When you are planning a retrofit where you are switching to a heat pump as a heating system for your building the following steps are performed:

1. The last collected heating consumption value provided by your organization is taken.

2. The heating consumption is divided by the Coefficient of Performance (COP) (default COP: 3).

3. The resulting value represents the electricity consumption for heating purposes.

4. BuildingMinds Platform applies the appropriate emission factor based on the electricity subtype:

   • Grid electricity (normal contract)

   • Grid electricity (green contract)

   • Self-generated electricity

5. The simulation results are shown in the Retrofit view preview and the Retrofit simulation dashboard.