Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis

The application of building retrofitting solutions targeting improved energy efficiency and thermal comfort is significantly influenced by environmental and climate conditions. This study aims to automate a reliable dataset and enhance the predictability of the post-retrofit performance of the build...

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Main Authors: Elena Imani, Huda Dawood, Sean Williams, Nashwan Dawood
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1050
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author Elena Imani
Huda Dawood
Sean Williams
Nashwan Dawood
author_facet Elena Imani
Huda Dawood
Sean Williams
Nashwan Dawood
author_sort Elena Imani
collection DOAJ
description The application of building retrofitting solutions targeting improved energy efficiency and thermal comfort is significantly influenced by environmental and climate conditions. This study aims to automate a reliable dataset and enhance the predictability of the post-retrofit performance of the buildings. The proposed hybrid methodology utilises physics-based and data-driven methods to evaluate a range of retrofitting scenarios across diverse UK climate zones and validates an automated dataset with real-time data collected via IoT (Internet of things)-based sensors. This hybrid method enables a comprehensive assessment of retrofitting solutions’ impacts on building performance. The collected data create a reliable dataset and serve as the foundation for training machine learning (ML) prediction models and support decisions in retrofit strategies. The findings reveal that in cool–humid climates, the air source heat pumps significantly perform better when compared to 58 heating systems in terms of the balance of energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Moreover, Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHPs) are recommended for colder regions. As a result, zone-specific retrofitting strategies with seasonal adjustments are recommended for achieving optimum energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
format Article
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issn 2075-5309
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-b59909d1491e4311ba5d4be4eccf9db92025-08-20T02:09:15ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-03-01157105010.3390/buildings15071050Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated AnalysisElena Imani0Huda Dawood1Sean Williams2Nashwan Dawood3School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKSchool of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKNet Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS2 1DJ, UKNet Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS2 1DJ, UKThe application of building retrofitting solutions targeting improved energy efficiency and thermal comfort is significantly influenced by environmental and climate conditions. This study aims to automate a reliable dataset and enhance the predictability of the post-retrofit performance of the buildings. The proposed hybrid methodology utilises physics-based and data-driven methods to evaluate a range of retrofitting scenarios across diverse UK climate zones and validates an automated dataset with real-time data collected via IoT (Internet of things)-based sensors. This hybrid method enables a comprehensive assessment of retrofitting solutions’ impacts on building performance. The collected data create a reliable dataset and serve as the foundation for training machine learning (ML) prediction models and support decisions in retrofit strategies. The findings reveal that in cool–humid climates, the air source heat pumps significantly perform better when compared to 58 heating systems in terms of the balance of energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Moreover, Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHPs) are recommended for colder regions. As a result, zone-specific retrofitting strategies with seasonal adjustments are recommended for achieving optimum energy efficiency and thermal comfort.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1050energy efficiencythermal comfortbuilding retrofittingphysics-based simulationdata-driven analysisIoT-based validation
spellingShingle Elena Imani
Huda Dawood
Sean Williams
Nashwan Dawood
Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis
Buildings
energy efficiency
thermal comfort
building retrofitting
physics-based simulation
data-driven analysis
IoT-based validation
title Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis
title_full Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis
title_fullStr Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis
title_short Physics-Based and Data-Driven Retrofitting Solutions for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in the UK: IoT-Validated Analysis
title_sort physics based and data driven retrofitting solutions for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in the uk iot validated analysis
topic energy efficiency
thermal comfort
building retrofitting
physics-based simulation
data-driven analysis
IoT-based validation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1050
work_keys_str_mv AT elenaimani physicsbasedanddatadrivenretrofittingsolutionsforenergyefficiencyandthermalcomfortintheukiotvalidatedanalysis
AT hudadawood physicsbasedanddatadrivenretrofittingsolutionsforenergyefficiencyandthermalcomfortintheukiotvalidatedanalysis
AT seanwilliams physicsbasedanddatadrivenretrofittingsolutionsforenergyefficiencyandthermalcomfortintheukiotvalidatedanalysis
AT nashwandawood physicsbasedanddatadrivenretrofittingsolutionsforenergyefficiencyandthermalcomfortintheukiotvalidatedanalysis