Energy performance indoor environmental quality retrofit — a European diagnosis and decision making method for building refurbishment

EPIQR (Energy Performance Indoor Environmental Quality Retrofit) is a methodology developed to assist apartment building owners who are considering refurbishment or retrofitting (upgrading) their building stock. The EPIQR methodology has been developed into a computer based program which identifies the most appropriate refurbishment or retrofitting actions, together with an initial cost estimate, taking into account energy and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. The EPIQR method starts with the distribution of questionnaires to residents of the apartment building in order to gather data on IEQ issues. After collating the data the program will highlight areas for further investigation during the EPIQR condition survey. The EPIQR condition site survey assesses the apartment building on 50 elements. Each element is graded on a four-point scale from good to poor condition. To assist the user in their assessment of the building the program displays visual and descriptive stages of deterioration for each element. The energy performance of the building is addressed by information gathered by the means of a walk through energy audit during the site visit together with information from historical data such as fuel bills. This energy analysis includes both heating and cooling modules. Following the condition survey the program suggests suitable refurbishment and retrofitting actions for each element. The program shows which refurbishment or retrofitting action will have the most impact on the general improvement of the building, the energy consumption and the IEQ issues while also giving an initial cost estimate for the work required. This will allow the user to select the most appropriate and cost effective action whilst remaining within their budget. The EPIQR methodology has been developed as a result of a 2-year European research project, involving seven research institutions. This paper provides an overview of the EPIQR methodology and its development.