Energy Retrofit in Administrative Building: A Post- Retrofit Evaluation using IPMVP Option-C (Whole- Facility Approach)

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of an energy retrofit project carried out at a government administrative facility located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The project was undertaken as part of a broader initiative to improve energy performance, reduce electricity consumption, and modernize outdated building systems in public-sector facilities. Key interventions included the optimization and replacement of inefficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the installation of a variable chilled water flow system to enhance chiller plant efficiency, and the replacement of conventional lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED technology alongside the introduction of advanced lighting controls. To quantify the impact of these Energy Saving Measures (ESMs), the project adopted the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), utilizing Option C – Whole Facility Approach. This methodology involves analyzing utility billing data and developing regression models that correlate energy consumption with weather variables, such as Cooling Degree Days (CDD) [1]. The evaluation revealed that the implemented measures achieved a substantial annual energy savings of 904,557 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which corresponds to a 28.06% reduction in total electricity consumption when compared to the pre-retrofit baseline of 3,223,680 kWh. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a data-driven, whole-building energy retrofit strategy in significantly lowering energy demand and operational costs. Moreover, the findings highlight the potential of such initiatives to contribute meaningfully to national energy conservation goals and sustainability commitments, especially in regions with high cooling loads and prolonged operating hours. The success of this project provides a valuable reference for future retrofits in similar administrative and institutional settings.