Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling

This study presents a comprehensive case of green remodeling applied to a local fire station in Seoul, South Korea. The project aimed to improve energy performance through an integrated upgrade of passive systems (exterior insulation, high-performance windows, and airtightness) and active systems (e...

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Main Authors: June Hae Lee, Jae-Sik Kang, Byonghu Sohn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2658
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author June Hae Lee
Jae-Sik Kang
Byonghu Sohn
author_facet June Hae Lee
Jae-Sik Kang
Byonghu Sohn
author_sort June Hae Lee
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a comprehensive case of green remodeling applied to a local fire station in Seoul, South Korea. The project aimed to improve energy performance through an integrated upgrade of passive systems (exterior insulation, high-performance windows, and airtightness) and active systems (electric heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and rooftop photovoltaic systems), while maintaining uninterrupted emergency operations. A detailed analysis of annual energy use before and after the remodeling shows a 44% reduction in total energy consumption, significantly exceeding the initial reduction target of 20%. While electricity use increased modestly during winter due to the electrification of heating systems, gas consumption dropped sharply by 63%, indicating a shift in energy source and improved efficiency. The building’s airtightness also improved significantly, with a reduction in the air change rate. The project further addressed unique challenges associated with continuously operated public facilities, such as insulating the fire apparatus garage and executing phased construction to avoid operational disruption. This study contributes valuable insights into green remodeling strategies for mission-critical public buildings, emphasizing the importance of integrating technical upgrades with operational constraints to achieve verified energy performance improvements.
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spelling doaj-art-546590e7f2b14439b8a76d0732015b832025-08-20T03:02:55ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011515265810.3390/buildings15152658Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green RemodelingJune Hae Lee0Jae-Sik Kang1Byonghu Sohn2Department of Building Energy Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang 10223, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Building Energy Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang 10223, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Building Energy Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang 10223, Republic of KoreaThis study presents a comprehensive case of green remodeling applied to a local fire station in Seoul, South Korea. The project aimed to improve energy performance through an integrated upgrade of passive systems (exterior insulation, high-performance windows, and airtightness) and active systems (electric heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and rooftop photovoltaic systems), while maintaining uninterrupted emergency operations. A detailed analysis of annual energy use before and after the remodeling shows a 44% reduction in total energy consumption, significantly exceeding the initial reduction target of 20%. While electricity use increased modestly during winter due to the electrification of heating systems, gas consumption dropped sharply by 63%, indicating a shift in energy source and improved efficiency. The building’s airtightness also improved significantly, with a reduction in the air change rate. The project further addressed unique challenges associated with continuously operated public facilities, such as insulating the fire apparatus garage and executing phased construction to avoid operational disruption. This study contributes valuable insights into green remodeling strategies for mission-critical public buildings, emphasizing the importance of integrating technical upgrades with operational constraints to achieve verified energy performance improvements.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2658aging public buildinggreen remodeling24-h operation buildingenergy efficiencypassive and active systems
spellingShingle June Hae Lee
Jae-Sik Kang
Byonghu Sohn
Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling
Buildings
aging public building
green remodeling
24-h operation building
energy efficiency
passive and active systems
title Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling
title_full Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling
title_fullStr Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling
title_full_unstemmed Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling
title_short Addressing Energy Performance Challenges in a 24-h Fire Station Through Green Remodeling
title_sort addressing energy performance challenges in a 24 h fire station through green remodeling
topic aging public building
green remodeling
24-h operation building
energy efficiency
passive and active systems
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2658
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AT byonghusohn addressingenergyperformancechallengesina24hfirestationthroughgreenremodeling