scholarly journals Cooling Energy Use Reduction in Residential Buildings in Egypt Accounting for Global Warming Effects

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdollah Fadel Abdollah ◽  
Rossano Scoccia ◽  
Giulia Filippini ◽  
Mario Motta
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Best Available Technologies ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Night Ventilation

Residential and commercial buildings are responsible for almost 50% of the total electricity consumption in Egypt. This percentage is expected to increase due to the global warming effect. This work deals with the cooling energy use reduction strategies for residential buildings compatible with the Egyptian market accounting for the global warming effects. A study in the Egyptian market was done to explore the best available technologies in the Egyptian market. A series of dynamic simulations were executed in each city to optimize the building envelope using the best available technologies to reduce the cooling needs. Financial, energetic and environmental factors were taken into consideration, and comparative analysis was done to assess the best alternatives. The double wall with air gap and insulation on the outside was found to be the best alternative in all the cities. Moreover, simple measures to further reduce the cooling energy need were explored, such as the usage of more efficient lighting and night ventilation. This work led to an average reduction of 40% in the cooling energy needs and CO2 emissions across the three cities, with a maximum discounted payback period down to 6.3 years. Future weather files adapted to climate change were generated, and the selected passive strategies were tested to assess the validity of such strategies in the future. The cooling energy needs are expected to increase by 39%, while the peak cooling loads are also expected to increase by 23% by 2080, rendering the current installed HVAC systems undersized.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Thermal Mass of the Building Envelope on Summer Overheating of Dwellings in a Temperate Climate

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4117
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Kuczyński ◽  
Anna Staszczuk ◽  
Piotr Ziembicki ◽  
Anna Paluszak
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Occupant Behavior ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Night Ventilation

The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of increasing the thermal capacity of a residential building by using traditional building materials to reduce the risk of its excessive overheating during intense heat waves in a temperate climate. An additional objective is to show that the use of this single passive measure significantly reduces the risk of overheating in daytime rooms, but also, though to a much lesser extent, in bedrooms. Increasing the thermal mass of the room from light to a medium heavy reduced the average maximum daily temperature by 2.2K during the first heat wave and by 2.6K during the other two heat waves. The use of very heavy construction further reduced the average maximum temperature for the heat waves analyzed by 1.4K, 1.2K and 1.7K, respectively, giving a total possible reduction in maximum daily temperatures in the range of 3.6 °C, 3.8 °C and 4.3 °C. A discussion of the influence of occupant behavior on the use of night ventilation and external blinds was carried out, finding a significant effect on the effectiveness of the use of both methods. The results of the study suggest that in temperate European countries, preserving residential construction methods with heavy envelopes and partitions could significantly reduce the risk of overheating in residential buildings over the next few decades, without the need for night ventilation or external blinds, whose effectiveness is highly dependent on individual occupant behavior.

scholarly journals Investigating Primary Factors Affecting Electricity Consumption in Non-Residential Buildings Using a Data-Driven Approach

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 4046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sooyoun Cho ◽  
Jeehang Lee ◽  
Jumi Baek ◽  
Gi-Seok Kim ◽  
Seung-Bok Leigh
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Building Energy Consumption

Although the latest energy-efficient buildings use a large number of sensors and measuring instruments to predict consumption more accurately, it is generally not possible to identify which data are the most valuable or key for analysis among the tens of thousands of data points. This study selected the electric energy as a subset of total building energy consumption because it accounts for more than 65% of the total building energy consumption, and identified the variables that contribute to electric energy use. However, this study aimed to confirm data from a building using clustering in machine learning, instead of a calculation method from engineering simulation, to examine the variables that were identified and determine whether these variables had a strong correlation with energy consumption. Three different methods confirmed that the major variables related to electric energy consumption were significant. This research has significance because it was able to identify the factors in electric energy, accounting for more than half of the total building energy consumption, that had a major effect on energy consumption and revealed that these key variables alone, not the default values of many different items in simulation analysis, can ensure the reliable prediction of energy consumption.

scholarly journals Redefining cost-optimal nZEB levels for new residential buildings

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 03035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raimo Simson ◽  
Endrik Arumägi ◽  
Kalle Kuusk ◽  
Jarek Kurnitski
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Apartment Building ◽  
Detached House

In the member states of the European Union (EU), nearly-Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) are becoming mandatory building practice in 2021. It is stated, that nZEB should be cost-optimal and the energy performance levels should be re-defined after every five years. We conducted cost-optimality analyses for two detached houses, one terraced house and one apartment building in Estonia. The analysis consisted on actual construction cost data collection based on bids of variable solutions for building envelope, air tightness, windows, heat supply systems and local renewable energy production options. For energy performance analysis we used dynamic simulation software IDA-ICE. To assess cost-effectiveness, we used Net Present Value (NPV) calculations with the assessment period of 30 years. The results for cost-optimal energy performance level for detached house with heated space of ~100 m2 was 79 kWh/(m2 a), for the larger house (~200 m2) 87 kWh/(m2 a), for terraced house with heated space of ~600 m2 71 kWh/(m2 a) and for the apartment building 103 kWh/(m2 a) of primary energy including all energy use with domestic appliances. Thus, the decrease in cost-optimal level in a five-year period was ~60% for the detached house and ~40% for the apartment building, corresponding to a shift in two EPC classes.

Sustainability and cost assessment of coastal vacation homes for energy retrofits

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamalesh Panthi ◽  
Kanchan Das ◽  
Tarek Abdel-Salam
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Water Heater ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modeling Software ◽  
Energy Use Intensity

Purpose Vacation rental homes, in general, have different energy usage characteristics than traditional residential homes mainly because of the occupancy pattern that changes on a weekly basis. These homes, predominantly larger in size, offer a greater scope for energy savings also because of the wasteful habits of their seasonal occupants. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of energy inefficiencies prevalent in these homes so that appropriate retrofit choices can be offered to homeowners. Design/methodology/approach This research presents a case study of a vacation rental home whose energy consumption was investigated in depth and energy inefficiencies identified through modeling using energy modeling software, eQUEST. Simulations were performed to identify viable retrofit scenarios. Findings While improvement in the building envelope such as providing shades/overhangs on the windows, reducing infiltration and increasing insulation of the exterior wall did not show promising results for savings on energy cost, other improvements such as use of highly efficient lamps, tank-less water heater system and occupancy sensors showed viable investment options with shorter payback periods. It was also found that energy use intensity of sampled houses was about half of the average of US residential buildings, which could primarily be attributed to the seasonal nature of occupancy of these houses. Originality/value There is a dearth of literature pertaining to energy efficiency-related retrofits of coastal vacation homes. This research fills that gap to some extent by addressing this issue with an ultimate aim of assisting homeowners in retrofit decision-making.

Evaluation of Measurement and Verification Procedures for Retrofit Savings Using Calibrated Energy Building Models

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niko Kalinic ◽  
Moncef Krarti
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Measurement And Verification ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Energy Conservation Measures

Calibrated energy simulations are often used to predict savings from energy conservation measures with little information about their associated prediction uncertainties. In this paper, the savings predicted by calibrated simulation models are compared to actual savings obtained through monitoring energy use before and after implementing selected energy conservation measures for three residential buildings. Both building envelope and HVAC system related energy conservation measures are considered in the study. Through case studies, this validity of using calibrated energy models for the estimation and verification of savings associated with energy conservation measures is thoroughly evaluated. Moreover, the paper provides useful guidelines for using calibrated models for measurement and verification energy savings from various weatherization programs specific to residential buildings.

scholarly journals ARSITEKTUR MEDITERANIA DI INDONESIA: ADAPTASI KEMEGAHAN DAN KINERJA TERMAL BANGUNAN DARI DAERAH MEDITERANIA DALAM MENGHADAPI PERUBAHAN IKLIM DI DAERAH TROPIS LEMBAB

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Feriza Nadiar ◽  
Danayanti Azmi Dewi Nusantara
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Architectural Style ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Architectural Styles ◽  
Origin Region ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract: The Mediterranean architectural style began to be a reference style in designing buildings in Indonesia since the 1990s and applied to various buildings including residential buildings because it offers an impressive aesthetic element of grandeur and its response to heat according to the origin region. The potential application of Mediterranean architectural style elements in the middle of Modern architectural style invasion can still be taken to resolve thermal problems caused by environmental issues namely climate change and global warming. This research aims to evaluate the thermal performance of Mediterranean-style residential buildings in response to the local climate and the potential adaptation of the envelope elements to Modern architectural styles using ECOTECT  simulations. The results showed that a sample house with a combination of three architectural styles shows that the Mediterranean architectural style can still be used and able to compete with other architectural styles at this time by including its Mediterranean style which presents grandeur, and incorporates elements of minimalist architectural style to give a modern nuance, also implementing shading strategies from Tropical architectural styles as adaptations to the tropical climate. That house sample has the longest thermal comfort duration compared to the others, which is 8.5 hours.Keywords: thermal building performance; building envelope; architecture style; environmental issue. Abstrak: Gaya arsitektur Mediterania mulai menjadi referensi gaya dalam mendesain bangunan di Indonesia sejak tahun 1990an dan banyak sekali diminati serta diaplikasikan ke berbagai bangunan tidak terkecuali bangunan rumah tinggal karena menawarkan unsur estetika yang mengesankan kemegahan dan responnya terhadap iklim sekitar yang cenderung panas sesuai dengan wilayah asalnya. Potensi pengaplikasian unsur-unsur gaya arsitektur Mediterania di tengah gempuran gaya arsitektur Modern masih dapat diperhitungkan dengan tujuan untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan termal berupa peningkatan temperatur yang diakibatkan oleh isu lingkungan yaitu climate change dan global warming. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi kinerja termal bangunan rumah tinggal bergaya Mediterania dalam responnya terhadap iklim setempat dan potensi pengadaptasian elemen selubungnya terhadap gaya arsitektur Modern dengan menggunakan simulasi termal ECOTECT. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sampel rumah dengan perpaduan tiga gaya arsitektur menunjukkan bahwa gaya arsitektur Mediterania masih bisa dipergunakan dan mampu bersaing dengan gaya arsitektur lainnya saat ini yaitu dengan memasukkan gaya Mediterania sendiri yang mempresentasikan kemegahan, dan juga memasukkan unsur gaya arsitektur Minimalis untuk memberi balutan nuansa modern, serta menerapkan strategi shading dari gaya arsitektur Tropis sebagai adaptasi dengan iklim tropis. Sampel rumah tersebut memiliki durasi kenyamanan termal paling lama dibanding yang lainnya yaitu selama 8,5 jam.Kata Kunci: kinerja termal bangunan; selubung bangunan; gaya arsitektur; isu lingkungan

scholarly journals Top Energy Saver of the Year: Results of an Energy Saving Competition in Public Buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-293
Author(s):  
Jan Kaselofsky ◽  
Ralf Schüle ◽  
Marika Rošā ◽  
Toms Prodaņuks ◽  
Anda Jekabsone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Heat Consumption ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public Building ◽  
Team Members

AbstractNon-residential buildings in the European Union consume more than one third of the building sector’s total. Many non-residential buildings are owned by municipalities. This paper reports about an energy saving competition that was carried out in 91 municipal buildings in eight EU member states in 2019. For each public building an energy team was formed. The energy teams’ activities encompassed motivating changes in the energy use behaviour of employees and small investments. Two challenges added an element of gamification to the energy saving competition. To assess the success of the energy saving competition, an energy performance baseline was calculated using energy consumption data of each public building from previous years. Energy consumption in the competition year was monitored on a monthly base. After the competition the top energy savers from each country were determined by the percentage-based reduction of energy consumption compared to the baseline. On average, the buildings had an electricity and heat consumption in 2019 that was about 8 % and 7 %, respectively, lower than the baseline. As an additional data source for the evaluation, a survey among energy team members was conducted at the beginning and after the energy competition. Support from superiors, employee interest and motivation and behaviour change as assessed by energy team members show a positive, if weak or moderate, correlation with changes in electricity consumption, but not with changes in heat consumption.

scholarly journals Managing climate-change-induced overheating in non-residential buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 02009
Author(s):  
André Badura ◽  
Birgit Mueller ◽  
Ivo Martinac
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Climate Extremes ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Indoor Climate ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Outdoor Climate

Large and rapid climatic changes can be uncomfortable and sometimes hazardous to humans. Buildings protect people from external climatic conditions, and also mitigate the impacts of external climate extremes through their design and construction, as well as with the help of dedicated building service and other technical systems. Active space conditioning accounts for more than 30 per cent of the overall final energy use in Germany. In the life cycle of a building, the construction phase (planning and construction) is the phase with the shortest duration. However, the quality applied during this phase has a significant impact on the resources required, as well as the overall building performance during the much longer operational phase. Once built, buildings are often unable to adapt to boundary conditions that were not considered in the original building design. Consequently, changing outdoor climate conditions can result in an uncomfortable indoor climate over the lifetime of a building. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of flexible solutions for reducing winter heating loads and to reducing/avoiding summer cooling loads in nonresidential buildings in Germany. Various external shading scenarios for non-residential buildings were analysed using the IDA ICE indoor climate and energy simulation tool. Key simulation parameters included the orientation and location of the building, as well as the envelope structure. We investigated the impacts of solar shading on heat storage in the building mass and indoor climate and how different types of envelopes affect overall energy use. The result shows that the use of an adaptive building envelope allows a higher reduction of the total energy demand by 7 % to 15 % compared to an increase in insulation thickness only.

scholarly journals A Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Structural Insulated Panels for Residential Buildings in a Hot and Arid Climate

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 255
Author(s):  
Muataz Dhaif ◽  
André Stephan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Structural Insulated Panels ◽  
Operational Energy

In hot and humid climatic conditions, cooling tends to dominate building thermal energy use. Cooling loads can be reduced through the adoption of efficient building envelope materials, such as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This study quantifies the life cycle cost and operational energy of a representative case-study house in Bahrain using SIPs and hollow concrete blocks (HCBs) for the envelope over a period of 50 years. Operational energy is calculated using a dynamic energy simulation tool, operational costs are calculated based on the energy demand and local tariff rates, and construction costs are estimated using market prices and quotations. The life cycle cost is quantified using the Net Present Cost technique. Results show that SIPs yield a 20.6% reduction in cooling energy use compared to HCBs. For SIP costs of 12 and 17 USD/m², the SIP house was cheaper throughout, or had a higher capital cost than the HCB house (breaking even in year 33), respectively. We propose policy recommendations with respect to material pricing, electricity tariffs, and energy efficiency, to improve the operational energy efficiency of houses in Bahrain and similar countries along the Arabian Peninsula.

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