Performance evaluation for energy efficiency attainment in buildings based on orientation, temperature, and humidity parameters

ABSTRACT

Energy consumption in buildings and infrastructure has increased many folds suggesting a need to shift towards energy efficiency and conservation as well as operation of buildings through sustainable means. In buildings, energy efficiency can be achieved using insulation materials, improved architectural techniques, and modified construction methodology. However, energy demand to operate buildings must be reduced without compromising their performance and services. To study energy consumption effectiveness, observational and experimental investigations were carried out on four existing buildings and a model based on different contributing parameters such as orientation, construction materials, type of construction, height, and architectural design. The results show that using alpolic cladding and double-layered windows at the outer face of buildings increases thermal efficiency by 8%. The cavity wall construction improves the energy conservation of the building by 6% compared to traditional block construction. The model studies show that using cavity wall and structural concrete insulated panels (SCIP) as cladding/infill walls in frame structures can reduce the energy demand of the building up to 3%. Simple techniques such as altering building orientation, architecture, use of the latest energy-efficient insulation materials, and enhanced construction techniques contribute significantly towards energy efficient and sustainable performance of buildings.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainable development
• energy saving
• thermal comfort
• temperature
• humidity
• performance

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Correction

Acknowledgements

The research presented in this paper was supported by the National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. The work presented in this paper is an enhanced version of the study presented by authors in a conference paper at the International Conference on Energy Systems and Policies (ICESP) in 2014 (Khaliq and Mansoor 2014). All the opinions, findings, and conclusions explained in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. The authors acknowledge with thanks, the help extended by building officials of NESPAK House, Judicial Complex, Telecom Tower, and Saudi Pak Tower in Islamabad, for allowing access to investigate various parameters to determine the energy efficiency of these buildings.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2021.1935482)

Additional information

Funding

The research presented in this paper was supported by the National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Notes on contributors

Wasim Khaliq

Wasim Khaliq is a Professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. He received his PhD in Civil (Structural) Engineering from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA in 2012. His research interests include performance evaluation of reinforced concrete structural systems, especially high strength concrete materials behavior under extreme serviceability conditions, and sustainability & energy conservation in buildings through use of modern materials.

Umaid Bin Mansoor

Umaid Bin Mansoor is a Civil Engineering graduate of University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. He completed his MS in Structural Engineering from National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan in 2016. His research interests include the energy efficient design and sustainable buildings.