Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan

This study aimed to contribute to the limited literature on energy efficiency (EE) retrofitting of old buildings, focusing on urban and low-income districts. The case study considered a small zone consisting of approximately 80 old family dwellings in Amman city. The conducted field surve...

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Main Authors: Jamal O. Jaber, Ghazi Marahleh, Suleiman Al-Lubani, Mohammad Khrisat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academia.edu Journals 2025-01-01
Series:Academia Green Energy
Online Access:https://www.academia.edu/127361966/Energy_efficiency_retrofitting_for_old_buildings_in_a_low_income_district_of_Amman_Jordan
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author Jamal O. Jaber
Ghazi Marahleh
Suleiman Al-Lubani
Mohammad Khrisat
author_facet Jamal O. Jaber
Ghazi Marahleh
Suleiman Al-Lubani
Mohammad Khrisat
author_sort Jamal O. Jaber
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to contribute to the limited literature on energy efficiency (EE) retrofitting of old buildings, focusing on urban and low-income districts. The case study considered a small zone consisting of approximately 80 old family dwellings in Amman city. The conducted field survey was designed to collect basic data about occupants’ demographics, building conditions, energy consumption, awareness, and willingness to invest in EE measures. A large fraction of residents confirmed that no- or low-cost measures, such as switching off lights and bulb replacement, are already implemented. However, most of them had not even considered investing in EE measures to improve the thermal performance of dwelling envelopes. Equally important, none of the interviewed residents indicated that they would consider replacing old inefficient household appliances in the near future or acquiring new highly efficient machines unless there is direct financial aid or a grant program supported by the government or local authorities to enhance EE. The small fraction of people who showed some understanding of EE remain reluctant to invest in costly items, such as thermal insulation of external walls or replacing windows, most likely due to their very limited financial capability. It is recommended to introduce a tailored scheme to cause a positive shift in current energy consumption behaviors toward more efficient practices, leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in old residential buildings. This could only be achieved by creating and allocating a special fund to assist poor families in improving EE in their dwellings. Further investigations are highly needed to explore various subjects, including occupant psychological behaviors and responses related to energy use and EE in the residential sector.
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spelling doaj-art-b13d0cbb53f14adb8db8d6bd3e1c128a2025-08-20T03:06:19ZengAcademia.edu JournalsAcademia Green Energy2998-36652025-01-012110.20935/AcadEnergy7487Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, JordanJamal O. Jaber0Ghazi Marahleh1Suleiman Al-Lubani2Mohammad Khrisat3Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman 11134, Jordan.Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman 11134, Jordan.Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman 11134, Jordan.Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman 11134, Jordan. This study aimed to contribute to the limited literature on energy efficiency (EE) retrofitting of old buildings, focusing on urban and low-income districts. The case study considered a small zone consisting of approximately 80 old family dwellings in Amman city. The conducted field survey was designed to collect basic data about occupants’ demographics, building conditions, energy consumption, awareness, and willingness to invest in EE measures. A large fraction of residents confirmed that no- or low-cost measures, such as switching off lights and bulb replacement, are already implemented. However, most of them had not even considered investing in EE measures to improve the thermal performance of dwelling envelopes. Equally important, none of the interviewed residents indicated that they would consider replacing old inefficient household appliances in the near future or acquiring new highly efficient machines unless there is direct financial aid or a grant program supported by the government or local authorities to enhance EE. The small fraction of people who showed some understanding of EE remain reluctant to invest in costly items, such as thermal insulation of external walls or replacing windows, most likely due to their very limited financial capability. It is recommended to introduce a tailored scheme to cause a positive shift in current energy consumption behaviors toward more efficient practices, leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in old residential buildings. This could only be achieved by creating and allocating a special fund to assist poor families in improving EE in their dwellings. Further investigations are highly needed to explore various subjects, including occupant psychological behaviors and responses related to energy use and EE in the residential sector.https://www.academia.edu/127361966/Energy_efficiency_retrofitting_for_old_buildings_in_a_low_income_district_of_Amman_Jordan
spellingShingle Jamal O. Jaber
Ghazi Marahleh
Suleiman Al-Lubani
Mohammad Khrisat
Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan
Academia Green Energy
title Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan
title_full Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan
title_fullStr Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan
title_full_unstemmed Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan
title_short Energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low-income district of Amman, Jordan
title_sort energy efficiency retrofitting for old buildings in a low income district of amman jordan
url https://www.academia.edu/127361966/Energy_efficiency_retrofitting_for_old_buildings_in_a_low_income_district_of_Amman_Jordan
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