scholarly journals A Data-driven Approach for Sustainable Building Retrofit—A Case Study of Different Climate Zones in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong He ◽  
S. Thomas Ng ◽  
Md. Uzzal Hossain ◽  
Godfried L. Augenbroe
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Climate Zones ◽  
Cold Zone ◽  
High Rise

This study presents a data-driven retrofitting approach by systematically analyzing the energy performance of existing high-rise residential buildings using a normative calculation logic-based simulation method. To demonstrate the practicality of the approach, typical existing buildings in five climate zones of China are analyzed based on the local building characteristics and climatic conditions. The results show that the total energy consumption is 544 kWh/m2/year in the severe cold zone, which is slightly higher than that in the cold zone (519 kWh/m2/year), but double that in the hot summer and cold winter zone, three times higher than that in the warm zone, and five times above that in the temperate zone. The dominant energy needs in different climatic zones are distinctive. The identified potentially suitable retrofitting measures are important in reducing large-scale energy consumption and can be used in supporting sustainable retrofit decisions for existing high-rise residential buildings in different climatic zones.

scholarly journals Effect of climate change on the energy performance and thermal comfort of high-rise residential buildings in cold climates

2019 ◽  
Vol 282 ◽  
pp. 02066
Author(s):  
Fuad Mutasim Baba ◽  
Hua Ge
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Climate Zones ◽  
High Rise

Buildings now produce more than a third of global greenhouse gases, making them more than any other sector contributing to climate change. This paper investigates the effect of climate change on the energy performance and thermal comfort of a high-rise residential building with different energy characteristic levels, i.e. bylaw to meet current National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB), and passive house (PH) under two climate zones in British Columbia, Canada. SRES A2, RCP-4.5 and RCP-8.5 emission scenarios are used to generate future horizon weather data for 2020, 2050, and 2080. The simulation results show that for both bylaw and PH cases, the heating energy consumption would be reduced while cooling energy consumption would be increased. As a result, for the bylaw case, the total energy consumption would be decreased for two climate zones, while for PH case, the total energy consumption would be increased for zone 4 and decreased for zone 7. In addition, the number of hours with overheating risks would be increased under future climates, e.g. doubled in 2080, compared to the historical weather data. Therefore, efforts should be made in building design to take into account the impact of climate change to ensure buildings built today would perform as intended under changing climate.

Application of Water-Cooled Air-Conditioning for High-Rise Residential Buildings

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Chen ◽  
Qianqian Di
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Empirical Model ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Operation Performance ◽  
Air Conditioners ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Set Up

To improve the applicability of water-cooled air-conditioners in the domestic sector, the development of a prediction model for energy performance analysis is needed. This paper addressed the development of an empirical model for predicting the operation performance and the annual energy consumption for the use of water-cooled air-conditioners. An experimental prototype was set up and tested in an environmental chamber in validating the empirical model. The predictions compared well with the experimental results. Furthermore, a high-rise residential building whole-year energy consumption simulation on applications of water-cooled air conditioners in South china was also analyzed. The results show 20.4% energy savings over air-cooled units while the increase in water-side consumption is 31.1%. The overall energy savings were estimated at 16.2% when including the additional water costs.

Energy Consumption Simulation for Residential Buildings With Shading Devices in Different Regions

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjie Liu ◽  
Xiaojie Zhou ◽  
Zhihong Gao
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
South West ◽  
Shading Devices ◽  
Energy Consumption Simulation

With the development of energy saving, it is needed to calculate the energy consumption of the residential building, particularly accurate dynamic energy consumption. Fixed shading devices are wildly used to save building energy because they prevent undesirable heat coming through the windows during the “overheated period”, just as in summer, which can ameliorate the indoor environments and reduce the energy consumption of air-conditioning in summer. But they will also prevent solar energy which can be used in winter to enter windows. So it is very important to be able to determine the optimal shading devices of windows. The overhangs and vertical-shading devices are representative to study the different energy performance in summer and winter, in an actual dwell house. On the other hand, fixed shading devices can weaken the effect of daylighting, so we would take both the total energy consumption and rooms’ daylighting into account. In this study, we choose several typical dwelling houses in different cities located in north, south, west, east and central region of China respectively. We calculated energy consumption of those models by using Energyplus program, and compared the shading performance of horizontal and vertical shading devices, then optimal configuration dimensions of horizontal shading devices are recommended on the basis of different requirements for solar heat gains in winter and in summer for those typical dwelling houses.

scholarly journals A Study of Design Variables in Daylight and Energy Performance in Residential Buildings under Hot Climates

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5836
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammed AL-Dossary ◽  
Daeung Danny Kim
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Slow Progress ◽  
Shading Devices

In Saudi Arabia, residential buildings are one of the major contributors to total energy consumption. Even though there are abundant natural resources, it is somewhat difficult to apply them to building designs, as design variables, due to slow progress and private issues in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the present study demonstrated the development of sustainable residential building design by examining the daylighting and energy performance with design variables. Focusing on the daylighting system, the design variables were chosen, including window-to-wall ratios (WWR), external shading devices, and types of glazing. The illuminance level by these design variables in a building was evaluated by using daylight metrics, such as spatial daylight autonomy and annual sunlight exposure. Moreover, the building energy consumption with these design variables was analyzed by using energy simulation. As a result, the daylighting was improved with the increase in WWRs and the tinted double glazing, while these design options can cause overheating in a residential building. Among types of glazing, the double pane windows with a low-E coating showed better energy performance. Based on the results, it is necessary to find the proper design variables that can balance the daylighting and energy performance in residential buildings in hot climates.

scholarly journals Retrofitting High-Rise Residential Building in Cold and Severe Cold Zones of China—A Deterministic Decision-Making Mechanism

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5831
Author(s):  
Qiong He ◽  
Md. Uzzal Hossain ◽  
S. Thomas Ng ◽  
Godfried L. Augenbroe
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Deterministic Model ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Cold Zone ◽  
High Rise

This study aimed to develop a deterministic decision-making mechanism for finding the optimum set of retrofit solutions of existing high-rise residential buildings in two different climatic zones of China. The retrofit solutions were critically examined with different energy saving targets based on the local climatic conditions, building features, and retrofit costs in cold and severe cold zones comparatively. By making the extensive review and analyzing considerable statistics data and cost information, net present value (NPV) method was employed in the prototype building apartments to develop this deterministic model. The results demonstrated that the heating system is the most important factor in saving energy and obtaining the optimum revenue in these two regions. The highest optimal NPV can be obtained by achieving 60% energy saving in the cold zone, as energy saving is around 319 kWh/m2/year with the total retrofit costs of USD $3560, while it is 281 kWh/m2/year with the total retrofit costs of USD $3480 to achieve the 50% energy-saving target in the severe cold zone. Based on the analysis of energy savings and retrofit costs, the results can be effectively implemented for the purpose of creating sustainable retrofits in existing buildings, and the model can be adapted for selecting appropriate retrofit choices in other climatic zones.

scholarly journals Verification of Energy Usage Based on Standard Building Model Development of Low-Rise Residential Buildings in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
KyungSoo Kim ◽  
DongChul Yoo ◽  
ChangHo Choi ◽  
HyangIn Jang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Standard Model ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Significance Level

The energy consumption of low-rise residential buildings in South Korea exceeds the targets set in national policies and the standards of other countries. Moreover, there are insufficient policies in place to improve the energy performance of existing low-rise residential buildings and no means to investigate the current status. A standard model enables cost-effective and fast load forecasting and can also be used to establish long-term policies through evaluation of energy saving in buildings before and after the application of energy policies. This study developed a standard model for predicting energy consumption by reflecting the characteristics of low-rise residential buildings in Korea. The standard model was developed based on reliable related standards, national statistical data, and national reports, and the energy variables applied were validated through a sensitivity analysis. Surveys and field measurements were conducted to investigate the energy usage of 70 households in low-rise residential buildings in Korea, and the developed model was validated through comparison with the actual energy usage data. Consequently, the total energy consumption error rate was 12.67% (R2 value: 0.8164), with a significance level higher than 80%, which indicated that the developed model was highly efficient and reliable.

scholarly journals Energy-Efficient Window Retrofit for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Different Climatic Zones of China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6473 ◽  
Author(s):  
He ◽  
Ng ◽  
Hossain ◽  
Skitmore
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Winter Climate ◽  
Climate Zones ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Window System

The building envelope plays a significant role in the energy performance of buildings and windows are a key element in transmitting heating and cooling between the indoor and outdoor environment, and hence an adequate window system is one of the most important retrofit strategies of existing buildings for energy conservation. Therefore, this study presents a method with a theoretical case study to examine the improvement of energy efficiency in a typical high-rise residential building through window retrofitting. A building energy design model in Designbuilder along with a building information modeling (BIM) model in Revit are developed, with 20 common potential glazing alternatives being analyzed to predict the potential energy savings in the same case building with identical orientation located in a variety of climate zones in China. Based on different parameters and considerations, the results demonstrated that the currently relatively expensive low-e window glazing has the best energy performance in all climate zones, but is sufficiently close to conventionally glazed windows in its energy efficiency to discourage its adoption at present, and that, instead, a single dark conventional glazed window is preferred in a hot summer/warm winter climate, double dark traditional glazing in a hot summer/cold winter climate, and a double clear conventional window in a cold climate. Based on the simulated results, an indicative suggestion was provided to select an adequate window system for residential building retrofitting in the studied climates or similar climatic regions.

scholarly journals Feasibility Study of Concrete Louvers for High-rise Residential Buildings in Terms of Cooling Energy Requirements

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Sara Dh. Bahaadin ◽  
Binaee Y. Raof ◽  
Hendren Abdulrahman
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Sustainability Strategies ◽  
Harmful Emissions ◽  
Shading Devices ◽  
Shading Device ◽  
Cooling Loads ◽  
The Impact

High-rise residential buildings are increasing worldwide, including cities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Therefore, creating sustainable environments in and around these residential buildings are becoming an important problem. Improving energy efficiency in buildings has received critical attention worldwide. Countries have developed national sustainability strategies that lead to the lower energy consumption while maintaining comfort, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing harmful emissions. In this paper, an analysis of the impact of external shading devices in high-rise residential buildings on energy consumption of a 13-storey building in Sulaimani city is studied. The study is focused on fixed shading elements, explaining the influence of the design of vertical and horizontal shading devices on the total energy consumption of this type of building. The results show that both a single fixed horizontal blind with a depth of 20 cm and a triple vertical shading with the same depth are considered useless. The reduction in cooling loads by two fixed horizontal louvers almost doubled compared to a single fixed horizontal shading with 20 cm. Moreover, triple fixed horizontal louvers with 40 cm have almost the same effect on reducing cooling loads as triple fixed louvers with 60 cm. On the other hand, a triple fixed horizontal shading device with 60 cm has twice the effect on reducing annual cooling loads as a triple fixed vertical shading device with 60 cm.

scholarly journals Testing a Gypsum Composite Based on Raw Gypsum with a Direct Admixture of Paraffin and Polymer to Improve Thermal Properties

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3241
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Powała ◽  
Andrzej Obraniak ◽  
Dariusz Heim
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Heat Capacity ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Polymer Content ◽  
Volumetric Heat Capacity

The implemented new legal regulations regarding thermal comfort, the energy performance of residential buildings, and proecological requirements require the design of new building materials, the use of which will improve the thermal efficiency of newly built and renovated buildings. Therefore, many companies producing building materials strive to improve the properties of their products by reducing the weight of the materials, increasing their mechanical properties, and improving their insulating properties. Currently, there are solutions in phase-change materials (PCM) production technology, such as microencapsulation, but its application on a large scale is extremely costly. This paper presents a solution to the abovementioned problem through the creation and testing of a composite, i.e., a new mixture of gypsum, paraffin, and polymer, which can be used in the production of plasterboard. The presented solution uses a material (PCM) which improves the thermal properties of the composite by taking advantage of the phase-change phenomenon. The study analyzes the influence of polymer content in the total mass of a composite in relation to its thermal conductivity, volumetric heat capacity, and diffusivity. Based on the results contained in this article, the best solution appears to be a mixture with 0.1% polymer content. It is definitely visible in the tests which use drying, hardening time, and paraffin absorption. It differs slightly from the best result in the thermal conductivity test, while it is comparable in terms of volumetric heat capacity and differs slightly from the best result in the thermal diffusivity test.

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