scholarly journals Application Of Sustainable Design Principles To Increase Energy Efficiency Of Existing Buildings

2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Mansoury ◽  
H. R. Tabatabaiefar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Performance Study ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study investigates the effectiveness of different energy retrofitting techniques and examines the impact of employing those methods on energy consumption of existing residential buildings. Based on the research findings, the most effective and practical method of retrofitting has been proposed in order to improve energy efficiency of existing buildings. In order to achieve this goal, an existing residential building has been simulated in FirstRate 5 software so as to determine the existing thermal performance of the building. Afterwards, considering sustainable design principles, different insulation layers, glazing, and construction materials have been employed to conduct a comprehensive thermal performance study. Based on the research outcomes, the best technique for increasing energy efficiency of existing buildings and reducing their environmental impact and footprint has been identified and proposed for practical purposes.

scholarly journals An assessment of the impact of selected construction materials on the life cycle energy performance and thermal comfort in buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rajesh Haripersad
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
The Impact

South Africa is a developing country with various construction projects that are being undertaken both by government and the private sector. The requirements for the construction of energy-efficient buildings as well as the selection methods for providing construction materials have hence become important. Energy efficiency improvements needs to be implemented in the construction of these buildings in order to decrease energy usage and costs and provide more comfortable conditions for its occupants. Previous studies revealed that most of the focus for improving energy efficiency in buildings has been on their operational emissions. It is estimated that about 30% of all energy consumed throughout the lifetime of a building is utilized as embodied energy (this percentage varies based on factors such as age of building, climate and materials). In the past this percentage was much lower, but with increased emphasis placed on reducing operational emissions (such as energy efficiency improvements in heating and cooling systems), the embodied energy contribution has become more significant. Hence, it is important to employ a life-cycle carbon framework in analysing the carbon emissions in buildings. The study aims to augment energy efficiency initiatives by showcasing energy reduction strategies for buildings. The study assessed the thermal performance of selected construction materials by analysing different buildings using energy modelling program, EnergyPlus and TRNSYS. The parametric study was set in the central plateau region of South Africa and was performed to determine appropriate energy efficiency improvements that can be implemented for maximum savings. A life cycle cost analysis was performed on the selected improvements. The models created are representative of the actual buildings when simulated data is compared to recorded data from these buildings. Results showed a significant variation in energy and construction costs with varying construction materials over the buildings’ life cycle. Findings suggest that there is a significant reduction in energy usage when simple efficiency measures are implemented. The study recommends the use of different energy efficient building materials and the implementation of passive interventions in the constructing of buildings; the thermal performance of a building be optimized to ensure thermal comfort and the developed model be adopted for use in the engineering and construction industry for the reduction of energy consumption.

scholarly journals Application of Rough Set Theory (RST) to Forecast Energy Consumption in Buildings Undergoing Thermal Modernization

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Szul ◽  
Stanisław Kokoszka
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Set Theory ◽  
Rough Set ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Rough Set Theory ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency

In many regions, the heat used for space heating is a basic item in the energy balance of a building and significantly affects its operating costs. The accuracy of the assessment of heat consumption in an existing building and the determination of the main components of heat loss depends to a large extent on whether the energy efficiency improvement targets set in the thermal upgrading project are achieved. A frequent problem in the case of energy calculations is the lack of complete architectural and construction documentation of the analyzed objects. Therefore, there is a need to search for methods that will be suitable for a quick technical analysis of measures taken to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. These methods should have satisfactory results in predicting energy consumption where the input is limited, inaccurate, or uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this work was to test the usefulness of a model based on Rough Set Theory (RST) for estimating the thermal energy consumption of buildings undergoing an energy renovation. The research was carried out on a group of 109 thermally improved residential buildings, for which energy performance was based on actual energy consumption before and after thermal modernization. Specific sets of important variables characterizing the examined buildings were distinguished. The groups of variables were used to estimate energy consumption in such a way as to obtain a compromise between the effort of obtaining them and the quality of the forecast. This has allowed the construction of a prediction model that allows the use of a fast, relatively simple procedure to estimate the final energy demand rate for heating buildings.

scholarly journals Vibration Isolation of Existing Buildings in Microvibration Traffic Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Qian Xia ◽  
Wen-jun Qu ◽  
Yi-qing Li ◽  
Jin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Vibration Isolation ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Isolation Effect ◽  
Slab Thickness ◽  
Filling Material ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Isolation System ◽  
The Impact

In order to explore the impact of traffic environmental microvibration on buildings, this paper studies indoor vibration isolation, a method applicable to existing buildings. The vibration isolation scheme is designed based on the residential buildings adjacent to metro lines in Shanghai. By using the dynamic theory, the effective range of vibration isolation stiffness is analyzed. The effectiveness of the indoor vibration isolation method is verified through theoretical calculations and comparison of field measurements before and after isolation. A detailed numerical model is established to analyze the indoor isolation and the effect after parameter optimization from the slab thickness, filling material, and isolator stiffness. The results show that the isolation effect is proportional to the thickness of the total slab thickness of the isolation system and inversely proportional to the stiffness of the isolator. And when concrete is used as the filling material, the isolation effect is best. The isolation effect of the midspan position is better than that of the wall-floor junction. The vibration isolation effect is more obvious after the parameters are optimized. With its convenient construction technology, short cycle, and low cost, this method is worth promoting.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Applied Measures on the Simulated Scenarios for the Sustainable Building Construction through Carbon Footprint Emissions—Case Study of Building Construction in Serbia

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4688
Author(s):  
Marina Nikolić Topalović ◽  
Milenko Stanković ◽  
Goran Ćirović ◽  
Dragan Pamučar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Embodied Carbon ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Impact

Research was conducted to indicate the impact of the increased flow of thermal insulation materials on the environment due to the implementation of the new regulations on energy efficiency of buildings. The regulations on energy efficiency of buildings in Serbia came into force on 30 September 2012 for all new buildings as well as for buildings in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction. For that purpose, the carbon footprint was analyzed in three scenarios (BS, S1 and S2) for which the quantities of construction materials and processes were calculated. The life cycle analysis (LCA), which is the basis for analyzing the carbon life cycle (LCACO2), was used in this study. Carbon Calculator was used for measuring carbon footprint, and URSA program to calculate the operational energy. This study was done in two phases. In Phase 1, the embodied carbon was measured to evaluate short-term effects of the implementation of the new regulations. Phase 2 included the first 10 years of building exploitation to evaluate the long-term effects of the new regulations. The analysis was done for the period of 10 years, further adjustments to the regulations regarding energy efficiency of the buildings in Serbia are expected in accordance with EU directives. The study shows that, in the short-run, Scenario BS has the lowest embodied carbon. In the long-run, after 3.66 years, Scenario S2 becomes a better option regarding the impact on the environment. The study reveals the necessity to include embodied carbon together with the whole life carbon to estimation the impact of a building on the environment.

scholarly journals The Strategy of Implementing Energy Efficiency Standards and Labels for Domestic Air Conditioners in Libya

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salah M Alabani ◽  
Ibrahim H Tawil
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Air Conditioners ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Reduce Energy Consumption ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Energy Efficiency Standards

The residential sector in Libya has grown over the past decade in the construction of residential buildings due to the increase in the population. Moreover, the increase in the level of income has contributed to the increase in the purchase of household appliances, which leads to increased demand for energy. Energy consumption in the household sector accounted for 31% of total energy consumption during 2010, and the share of air conditioners in this sector consumed 18.35%. To reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency in this sector, policies should be considered to apply energy efficiency standards and markers to household electrical appliances, as they are considered one of the most successful programs used in the world. Countries are implementing such programs to reduce energy consumption in the domestic sector. This paper presents the possibility of implementing such programs to introduce the importance of energy efficiency standards and labeling programs for home appliances in Libya. The calculations required to design such programs show the energy savings that can be achieved during cooling loads in the summer period of 4 months July, August, September). A strategic plan has been developed during 10-year (2020-2030) to estimate the expected savings of energy consumed and to identify possible obstacles and difficulties by gradually increasing the energy efficiency ratio for comestic air conditioners in two stages, from EER10 to EER11 in the first stage is then raised to EER12 as the second stage.

scholarly journals Substandard Housing Contributory Factors: Analysing Scenarios in Neighbourhoods of Port Harcourt Municipality,Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibisiki, Tamuno-ose Godwill ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Physical Planning ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Contributory Factors ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Substandard Housing ◽  
The Impact

The study assessed substandard housing contributory factors of neighbourhoods in Port Harcourt municipality, Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to identify factors that are contributing to substandard housing in Port Harcourt municipality; assess the impact of contributory factors to substandard housing in the study area; and identify physical planning measures to improve substandard housing in the study area. The study employed quantitative research approach and experimental research design for collection and analyses of data in the study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used for collection of data. Slovin formula was used to determine the sample size and a total of 399 respondents (households) were interviewed from three grouped neighbourhoods and communities (planned neighbourhoods, indigenous enclaves and waterfront communities). The revealed the contributory factors to substandard housing in the study area are low income, large household size, multiple households in a building, limited habitable rooms per household, building construction materials, rapidly deteriorating physical condition of buildings, and sharing of facilities by households in buildings. The study also revealed the impacts of these factors include urban neighbourhoods and communities are deteriorating into slum and squatter settlements and rapid defacing of the urban fabrics and landscape. The study makes the following recommendations to improve housing standards including regular physical assessment of buildings in the study area to ascertain their fitness for habitation; waterfront environment should be reclaimed and planned by government for residents’ easy accessibility and affordability; development control agencies should ensure residential buildings are developed according to approved plan and specifications; mortgage and financial institutions should grant soft and interest-free loans to low-income earners and the poor; government should prioritise the development of low-cost houses for low-income earners and poor citizens; social amenities and services should be provided to enhance housing and neighbourhood quality; and government and its agencies of urban development and physical planning as a matter of urgency carry out spatial reorganisation through urban renewal programmes and projects at various neighbourhoods and communities.

scholarly journals Investigate the impact of a low u-value framing condition and an insulated curb condition at cantileverd concrete balcony slabs in high-rise MURBS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chafik Murad
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Concrete Surface ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
U Value ◽  
Thermal Bridging ◽  
The Impact

Cantilevered concrete balcony slabs are being investigated in high-rise (MURBs) to control thermal bridging in terms of energy efficiency and thermal comfort where the use of a proprietary thermal break was the prime application as a solution to improving energy efficiency. This MRP investigated the thermal performance of using a lower U-value framed glazing condition and an insulated curb condition and developed assemblies in scenarios that were simulated in THERM, and focused on the technical performance of thermal comfort benefit of insulated curb condition of 12.7 mm thick EPS. Concrete surface temperatures were significantly increased in values from 4.8 °C to 9.6 °C and from 6.2 °C to 10.0 °C above balcony slab and from 6.7 °C to 10.8 °C below slab when an insulated curb condition was used in conventional scenarios and in a lower U-value framed condition scenario with no proprietary thermal break added. U-values are reduced 10% to 18% for the upper surface of balcony slab and 4% reduction of the overall U-values when an insulated curb condition is incorporated.

scholarly journals Energy Losses Due to Imperfect Payment Infrastructure and Payment Instruments

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8213
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Melnychenko
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Cost ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Customers

One of the strategic objectives of the European Union is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of energy efficiency by at least 32.5% in different areas of the economy by 2030. However, little is known about the impact of payment in retail on energy consumption. The purpose of this paper is to assess the chain of losses of time and energy, and therefore financial losses, that occur due to the imperfection of payment infrastructure and instruments using data of cashiers’ working time. The research is based on a regression analysis method, where the energy cost per payment transaction is considered in this study as a function of the number of customers per hour and the energy cost. The results of the panel models highlight that the number of customers per hour has a negative impact on the cost of energy per payment transaction. Furthermore, modern means and methods of payment, including cryptocurrencies, do not solve the problem of the excessive time that it takes to service payments, which entails a waste of energy and money. The empirical results give valuable insights into how to best organise payment in retail to achieve lower energy costs and improve energy efficiency in payment infrastructure.

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