A data-driven approach for sustainable building retrofit-A case study of different climate zones in China

This study presents a data-driven retrofitting approach by systematically analyzing the energy performance of existing high-rise residential buildings using a normative calculation logic-based simulation method. To demonstrate the practicality of the approach, typical existing buildings in five climate zones of China are analyzed based on the local building characteristics and climatic conditions. The results show that the total energy consumption is 544 kWh/m²/year in the severe cold zone, which is slightly higher than that in the cold zone (519 kWh/m²/year), but double that in the hot summer and cold winter zone, three times higher than that in the warm zone, and five times above that in the temperate zone. The dominant energy needs in different climatic zones are distinctive. The identified potentially suitable retrofitting measures are important in reducing large-scale energy consumption and can be used in supporting sustainable retrofit decisions for existing high-rise residential buildings in different climatic zones.