Energy Performance of Residential Buildings and their Architectural Configuration

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine a significant relationship between energy performance of residential buildings and their architectural configuration. It is known that there are high amount of energy expenses of residential buildings while they are in use. Utilizing knowledge to decrease costs in housing construction and energy consumption during their lifetime, it has been worth to study this subject here. Case study examples were selected from residential buildings in Izmir, Turkey, which were 5-11 storey-blocks with various construction dates. Utilizing architectural and mechanical production drawings, certain area-based ratios and building dimensions were determined as architectural configuration indicators. Energy performance of case buildings were determined by using a calculation method according to the Thermal insulation Requirements for Buildings-TS825. The significant relationship between architectural configuration aspects and energy performance of buildings were analyzed through statistical analysis and scatter charts. Findings were discussed on the basis of TS825. Thus, instead of renovation of existing buildings’ energy performance by limited solutions (to add insulation material etc.), taking simple and inexpensive precautions in design process and their application might provide a wide energy saving potential.