Abstract:
Energy Efficiency (EE) of the existing buildings is identified as an important focal point for the reduction
of total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Though there is a huge room for EE
improvement in existing buildings, still the level of the adoption and implementation of Energy Retrofits
(ER) in existing buildings is comparatively low. In fact, it has been ascertained that retrofitting existing
buildings is more strenuous than constructing a new green building from scratch due to numerous factors
at work that can either facilitate or hinder ER projects. Hence, this research explores the enablers and
barriers for the adoption and implementation of ER projects.
Three case studies were conducted among hotel buildings that have implemented ER projects. Selected
cases included two ER projects led by in-house teams and one project outsourced to an external Energy
Service Company (ESCO). Altogether, 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with different
stakeholders to collect data. Findings of the research revealed 24 enablers and 42 barriers for the adoption
and implementation of ER projects in existing hotel buildings. The enablers and barriers were identified for
each of the three main phases of ER project implementation; i.e. pre-retrofit, retrofit implementation and
post retrofit phases. ‘Commitment, engagement and support from the involved parties’ in all three phases
of the project is ascertained as a crucial enabler that could support the successful adoption and
implementation of any ER project. Conversely, ‘lack of transparency about energy cost and use’, ‘lack of
skills and experience’, ‘difficulties in establishing communication between parties’ and ‘occupancy type of
the facility’ were identified as the barriers that impede the ER project success in all three phases. Further,
this paper argues that the party who execute the ER projects have significant impact on the enablers and
barriers for the adoption and implementation of ER project. By providing a thorough understanding of the
enablers and barriers, it is hoped that the findings of this study will provide a basis for more successful
adoption and implementation of ER projects in the hotel sector.
