Reassessing energy-efficient passive retrofits in terms of indoor environmental quality in residential buildings in the United States

Residential buildings are one of the largest sectors of energy use in the United States. While there are a range of measures available to improve the energy efficiency in residential buildings, these interventions can have a significant impact on occupant well-being. This paper presents a systematic review of the impact of passive retrofits on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in residential buildings. It covers the literature published from study locations in the United States from 2000 to 2023. Although there are existing reviews that address the energy efficiency of passive retrofits, systematic reviews that assess the impact of passive retrofit strategies on IEQ in residential buildings in the United States are rare. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis for temporal, geographic, and climate distribution, alongside a thematic analysis for performance indicators, key takeaways, and limitations in the existing literature, is performed. The review results indicate that retrofit strategies that improve energy efficiency should also focus on improving the indoor built environment. Furthermore, among the studies that do address IEQ, acoustic comfort and visual comfort are largely not addressed, and interactions between the IEQ aspects require further exploration. Based on the review findings, recommendations are suggested to advance practice and research, including assessment of interactions among distinct aspects of IEQ, integrating the impacts of climate change, design of comprehensive frameworks and guidelines, and additional financial incentives for building retrofitting.