Evaluating envelope retrofitting strategies to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency in Jordanian affordable housing

Abstract

Thermal comfort is a critical component of indoor environmental quality, directly affecting the health, productivity, and well-being of occupants—especially in affordable housing, where thermal discomfort often persists due to poor envelope design and limited resources. This study investigates the thermal performance of Jordanian affordable housing during the winter season through simulation-based analysis using DesignBuilder software. The research aims to assess how different envelope retrofit strategies—such as wall insulation, and roof modifications—can enhance indoor thermal comfort while maintaining cost feasibility for low-income households under heating-dominated conditions. A series of simulation scenarios were conducted for a representative affordable housing unit in Irbid, Jordan. The results were analyzed to determine which retrofit interventions provide the most effective balance between winter thermal comfort improvement and affordability. The findings reveal that specific combinations of envelope upgrades significantly enhance winter comfort levels with reasonable investment costs, making them both energy-efficient and economically feasible within the winter-calibrated scope of the study. The study highlights the potential of simulation tools as a decision-making aid for policymakers, designers, and housing authorities seeking to improve the thermal performance of affordable housing in cold and heating-dominated climates.