Abstract
Energy supply, the increasing demands for energy, climate change, and the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be considered in designing buildings. In order to design energy-efficient buildings, there should be accurate information about the thermal performance of the building. The thermal simulation readings should be precise. Its precision will also have a definite indication of the operational energy costs enabling the likelihood of conserving more energy used in building operations and reducing the greenhouse effect that is a result of emissions of greenhouse gases. Energy-efficient buildings are vital as they reduce the consumption of energy in and allow sustainable development. Erecting such buildings will require correct and realistic prediction of the buildings performance when subjected to a wide variety of harsh weather conditions in order to have a view of the impact of all the physical elements that influence the thermal performance. The behavior of the occupants also influences the thermal performance of a building. To achieve this, energy assessment instruments are used to accurately forecast the buildings thermal performance. This paper critically reviews energy rating methods for housing and the limitations of assessment systems.
Highlights
The materials used in the construction of an energy-efficient building should enhance its thermal performance
An assessment of thermal performance can use an adaptive approach instead of an energy-based approach. Such passive design techniques applied in the construction of a building may enhance thermal performance and reduce the amount of energy consumed for cooling and heating
Energy-efficient buildings are crucial for energy consumption in the future
Summary
The materials used in the construction of an energy-efficient building should enhance its thermal performance. An assessment of thermal performance can use an adaptive approach instead of an energy-based approach Such passive design techniques applied in the construction of a building may enhance thermal performance and reduce the amount of energy consumed for cooling and heating. A study in housing test modules in Australia showed that using an adaptive thermal approach to adjust the comfortable temperature ranges for an air-conditioning system saved significant amounts of energy, up to 50%, compared with the predicted mean vote model, as the occupants have more options for realizing their thermal comfort, such as using ventilation, wearing suitable clothes, and opening windows, instead of using heating or cooling systems (Albatayneh et al, 2018, 2019a). Prescriptive approach: This approach requires that each building component is built to a mandatory standard, which is the minimum standard for the materials, equipment installed, and methods for energy efficiency
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
