Energy performance optimization of traditional housing in Mediterranean climate

Energy use in the building sector represents an important amount of the total energy consumption. During the past decade there is an increasing attention in energy-efficient buildings to pursue sustainable development. The present paper includes a study focused on the thermal performance of traditional residential buildings built in Albania between 16th −19th century. The indoor environmental (thermal) evaluation via computational simulation was used to analyze the thermal performance of the selected typologies and to predict the consequences of alternative thermal retrofit measures. Detailed construction activity, weather information, and occupancy patterns were applied in modelling the houses. Seven improvement scenarios were applied and examined for each housing typology located in different climatic zones. The scenarios incorporate the use of thermal insulation of the walls and the roofs, as well as the use of different U-values of the glazing. The simulation results indicate that by retrofitting the building fabric, the buildings’ energy performance could be improved up to 46.3% and thermal comfort up to 7.2 °C, while requiring a payback period of 7.9 years. The performed simulation results generate an integral framework towards retrofitting of historical and traditional buildings, especially in the Mediterranean climate. •Energy performance of traditional buildings in Mediterranean context is assessed.•The scenarios incorporate the use of thermal insulation of the walls, roofs and glazing properties.•Detailed construction activity, weather information, and occupancy patterns are applied in modelling the houses.•Energy performance is improved up to 46.3%, thermal comfort up to 7.2 °C, with a payback period of 7.9 years.