Analysis of the economic feasibility of energy efficiency actions applied to a high-end single-family building using INI-R

Abstract

This paper economically analyzed the implementation of energy efficiency measures in a high-end single-family residential building in Bioclimatic Zone 8, using the Inmetro Normative Instruction for the Energy Efficiency Classification of Residential Buildings (INI-R), considering marginal investments and savings operational aspects of the analyzed measures. We proposed four energy efficiency measures for the envelope: replacing window glass with glass with low solar factor and thermal transmittance; changing to a lighter color for the paint on the external walls; changing the color of the tiles, also to a lighter color; and replacing air conditioning devices to more efficient ones. For the water heating system, gas heaters were proposed as an alternative to electric showers. Improving the envelope appears to be economically viable, with a discounted payback of nine years. For the water heating system, the attractiveness of the gas heating system depends on the inflation of this fuel and electrical energy, which have shown high variability.