Identification of the key design parameters of Zero/low energy buildings and the impacts of climate and building morphology

Abstract

Load reduction is a fundamental means for achieving the zero/low-energy goal of buildings and for accomplishing carbon-neutrality. However, there is a lack of systematic and comparative study on the key design parameters of building envelopes, particularly under different climate conditions and building morphologies. In this study, the most influential design parameters of high-rise and low-rise buildings in different climate zones are identified by sensitivity analysis and the impacts of climate and building height are studied and compared. The sensitivity analysis is performed using Morris, while a total of thirty-five design parameters under five categories are considered. Five Chinese climate zones covering three typical climates in the world are researched. A wide range of local design and operation constraints are considered when evaluating the building performance in different climate zones. Furthermore, the key design parameters affecting winter thermal discomfort in the climate zones typically without heating provision are also identified. The impact of thermal bridge on building energy performance is further investigated. A remarkable finding is that the overhang is among the most important elements of the high-rise buildings in all climate zones concerned, while skylight is among the most influential elements of the low-rise buildings concerning building load. The results of the studies provide valuable references for the building envelope design for different climate conditions.