A framework for Implementing Energy Retrofit Projects in Existing Building in South Africa

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for implementing the delivery of energy retrofit project in existing buildings. This framework is premised on the need for the attainment of a sustainable built environment through delivering building energy retrofit. A mixed design approach that is situated on pragmatic philosophical stance was adopted to unravel the complexities of retrofitting existing buildings. Structured and semi-structured interview were administered to project’s role-players in order to elicit data for the framework development. The findings give insight into various components of the framework. It suggest that a building analysis, which is geared towards evaluating the characteristics of the energy systems, a walkthrough survey, where potential energy-saving measures are identified, using energy analysis and simulation tools, which serves to establish energy use and operating conditions of the building, evaluation of energy-saving measures, and, finally, implementation of the energy efficiency measures are crucial in any implementation framework. The developed framework provides an innovative and integrated route for achieving sustainability in retrofit trade. The framework provides a comprehensive approach of delivering energy retrofit in an existing building.