• Energy Research

The increasing energy consumption levels of buildings within Europe call for controlled consumption and improvements to energy savings and efficiency and effective energy efficiency regulations. However, many aging and energy-inefficient buildings require energetic retrofitting that can employ various façades solutions and insulation materials. The selection of the most sustainable options in each situation therefore requires a decision-making methodology that can be used to prioritize available retrofit solutions based on economic, functional, environmental and social criteria. In this paper, both the methodology and the economic basis of the retrofitting process are presented. The methodology was validated in a case study, and a sensitivity analysis also demonstrated its validity, robustness and stability

The increasing energy consumption levels of buildings within Europe call for controlled consumption and improvements to energy savings and efficiency and effective energy efficiency regulations. However, many aging and energy-inefficient buildings require energetic retrofitting that can employ various façades solutions and insulation materials. The selection of the most sustainable options in each situation therefore requires a decision-making methodology that can be used to prioritize available retrofit solutions based on economic, functional, environmental and social criteria. In this paper, both the methodology and the economic basis of the retrofitting process are presented. The methodology was validated in a case study, and a sensitivity analysis also demonstrated its validity, robustness and stability

Abstract Timber is a renewable material with excellent strength-to-weight ratios, insulating properties and it plays an important environmental role, acting as a CO 2 sink. Public awareness of sustainability and its importance in the construction sector is growing day by day, encouraging the use of more sustainable materials, as is the case of timber. To assist in this goal, this study presents a methodology to prepare an “Environmental Sustainability Index for Timber Structures” (ESI-TS). In no way intended for comparison with other construction materials, the index arrives at an environmental sustainability classification, with its set of indicators and relevant weights.

Abstract Timber is a renewable material with excellent strength-to-weight ratios, insulating properties and it plays an important environmental role, acting as a CO 2 sink. Public awareness of sustainability and its importance in the construction sector is growing day by day, encouraging the use of more sustainable materials, as is the case of timber. To assist in this goal, this study presents a methodology to prepare an “Environmental Sustainability Index for Timber Structures” (ESI-TS). In no way intended for comparison with other construction materials, the index arrives at an environmental sustainability classification, with its set of indicators and relevant weights.