Net-zero Energy Retrofits for Commercial Buildings

This paper explores the feasibility for achieving net-zero energy goals in retrofitting commercial buildings. An existing commercial building in Holyoke, Massachusetts was chosen as the research target to study how to integrate passive design strategies and energy-efficient building systems to improve the building performance and reduce energy consumption. The objective was to investigate how to maximize energy savings and reach net zero energy goals by utilizing renewable energy sources for the building’s energy needs. The comparative analysis of simulation results was used to determine how specific techniques lead to energy saving and cost reductions. The research results show that this commercial building is able to meet net-zero energy use after appropriate design manipulations and use of renewable energy sources.

keywords: Commercial Retrofits, Net-Zero Energy, Building Performance, Renewable Energy