A Comparative Analysis of Sustainable Retrofitting Techniques in old Existing Institutional Buildings: Balancing Energy Efficiency, Economic Feasibility, and Environmental Impact

This overview looks at how to balance energy efficiency, cost, and environmental impact when upgrading old institutional buildings. The study focuses on a real‑world case in Pune, India. An energy audit set a baseline Energy Performance Index (EPI) of **9.36 kWh/m²**. To fix the building’s weak thermal performance and outdated mechanical systems, the researchers tested both single and combined retrofitting options. The options included: – Adding insulation to the building envelope – Installing cool roofs – Using double‑glazed windows – Upgrading to high‑efficiency HVAC equipment – Adding solar photovoltaic (PV) panels All options were evaluated with building‑energy simulation software. **Key results** – Upgrading only the active systems, especially HVAC optimization,

can cut energy use by **up to 40 %**. – When passive measures (insulation, cool roofs, double glazing) are combined with active upgrades, total energy use falls by **50 % to 75 %** and the building’s operational carbon emissions drop by **30 % to 50 %**. – Lighting upgrades have a short payback period of **1 to 3 years**. – A full set of combined measures gives the best long‑term lifecycle value. The material serves as a practical guide for M.Tech students who need to analyze building energy performance, run lifecycle‑cost studies, and plan carbon‑reduction strategies for municipal and institutional projects.

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