Energy Efficiency Of Residential Buildings Research Articles

Assessing Residential Building Energy Efficiency Using Evolutionary Dendritic Neural Regression

Assessing building energy consumption is of paramount significance in sustainability and energy efficiency (EE) studies. The development of an accurate EE prediction model is pivotal for optimizing energy resources and facilitating effective building planning. Traditional physical modeling approaches are encumbered by high complexity and protracted modeling cycles. In this paper, we introduce a novel evolutionary dendritic neural regression (EDNR) model tailored to forecasting residential building EE. Acknowledging the vast landscape and complexity of the EDNR weight space, coupled with the inherent susceptibility of traditional optimization algorithms to local optima, we propose a complex network-guided strategy-based differential evolution algorithm for training the EDNR model. This strategy adeptly strikes a balance between exploration and exploitation during the search process, significantly enhancing the predictive and generalization capacities of EDNR. To our knowledge, this study represents the inaugural application of dendritic neural regression in real-world prediction scenarios. Extensive experimental findings demonstrate the efficacy of EDNR in accurately predicting building EE with commendable performance. Furthermore, the results of two nonparametric statistical tests affirm the validity and stability of EDNR. Consequently, our proposed methodology exhibits high potential and competitiveness in machine learning applications within the energy domain.

Effectiveness of building envelope parameters and adopting PV panels to reduce reliance on local generators in hot-dry climate

The growing energy demand, associated with the inability of the current infrastructure to satisfy this demand, has presented numerous challenges in Iraq's electricity sector. As a result, there has been an increased dependence on local diesel generators to mitigate power outages in homes. However, these generators raise environmental concerns and are associated with high operating CO₂  emissions. Here, using the DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus simulation software, the effectiveness of different building envelope modifications and photovoltaic panels as alternative energy sources was examined. Specifically, the impact of wall and roof insulation, window glazing, and shading devices on energy efficiency was analyzed. The results indicated that roof insulation is the most effective in reducing energy consumption by 28.8%, followed by wall insulation by 13.01%, while the effect of windows glazing and shading devices was insignificant. Furthermore, the installation of solar panels led to a significant reduction in energy demand by 53.6%, thereby decreasing operating carbon dioxide emissions and providing a practical alternative to the use of local generators. Our study offers valuable insights into the design of energy-efficient residential buildings in hot and dry climates. It highlights the importance of selecting appropriate building materials and integrating renewable energy sources, presenting a more environmentally effective solution to mitigate energy shortages.

Optimizing indoor air quality and energy efficiency in multifamily residences: Advanced passive pipe system parametrics study

AbstractThis research focuses on enhancing natural ventilation in multifamily residential buildings to improve air quality and minimize reliance on mechanical ventilation, thereby reducing energy consumption. The study pioneers the integration of passive pipe systems within structural floor slabs and building envelopes, aiming to overcome the inherent challenges of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) related to design constraints, occupant behavior, and urban context. Our innovative approach, utilizing a novel application of Grasshopper for precise architectural modeling and Ansys for advanced multiphysics simulation, enables a detailed comparative analysis of airflow dynamics across various system configurations. A comprehensive literature review underscores the significance of natural ventilation as a key passive cooling strategy, vital for reducing energy use and enhancing IEQ in the face of urbanization challenges. Our empirical findings reveal that configurations with more inlet and outlet pipes significantly outperform simpler ones, with a notable configuration of 11 pipes (5 × 6) achieving an actual-to-required ventilation rate increase in 158.15%. This evidence highlights the substantial benefits of adopting complex system configurations for improved ventilation efficiency. The study’s outcomes include impactful design recommendations for adopting enhanced natural ventilation strategies in multifamily residential buildings. These recommendations promise to inform sustainable urban planning and building management strategies, offering a scalable solution for cities seeking to balance growth with environmental sustainability. By demonstrating the clear advantages of targeted passive cooling interventions, this research contributes valuable insights toward achieving energy efficiency and superior IEQ in residential buildings, paving the way for future exploration in diverse climatic and urban contexts.

Analysis of the Energy, Environmental and Economic Efficiency of Multi-Family Residential Buildings in Poland

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is one of the main challenges facing Europe in the context of climate neutrality policy. In this article, the authors decided to investigate the impact of thermal insulation of building envelopes and the type of ventilation on the energy efficiency of multi-family buildings located in different Polish cities. In accordance with EU directives, economic analyses of the costs incurred during the lifecycle and calculations of CO2 emissions were carried out for the analyzed facilities. It was determined what measures need to be taken under Polish climatic conditions in order to meet the requirements for improving the energy efficiency of multi-family buildings. The multi-criteria analyses presented in this article provide a voice in the discussion of the issues related to the achievement of the energy performance of buildings with almost zero primary energy demand (nZEB). Based on the conclusions of the research conducted, it was possible to develop general recommendations for investors and designers of multi-family residential buildings characterized by energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Indian Buildings: A Comprehensive Analysis of Current Norms and Proposed Guidelines for Strategic Placement and Orientation

The concept of energy-efficient buildings is increasingly critical in today's world, where energy conservation and environmental sustainability are paramount. Energy-efficient buildings are designed to minimize the use of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and other operations without compromising on comfort or utility. This approach not only helps in reducing the overall energy demand but also contributes significantly to mitigating climate change by lowering carbon emissions. This research focuses on optimizing energy efficiency in residential buildings, recognizing the crucial role of the residential sector in overall energy consumption. The study investigates innovative approaches, technologies, and design strategies to enhance energy performance while ensuring occupant comfort and cost-effectiveness. Key Word: Energy efficient, Glazing system, Solar radiation, Energy consumption, Green practice.

Enhancing domestic hot water energy efficiency in High-Rise residential buildings through interconnected and sharing mode

Residential buildings in China are consuming over 20 % of their operating energy on domestic hot water (DHW), a percentage that has been increasing in recent years. The use of energy-efficient water heaters is a direct solution to reduce DHW energy consumption, but high costs and installation requirements often deter households from adopting them. This issue is particularly prevalent in high-rise residential buildings, resulting in a low adoption rate of energy-efficient water heaters in China's high-rise residential sector. To address this challenge, this study proposes a DHW interconnected and sharing mode as a novel approach to enhance DHW energy efficiency in high-rise residential buildings. A dynamic performance calculation model based on the China Energy Efficiency Label (CEEL) for various types of water heaters was developed to evaluate the energy efficiency of this mode. The total energy consumption, carbon emissions, and energy costs of the building were assessed under both decentralized mode and interconnected and sharing mode. The findings indicate that implementing the interconnected and sharing mode can significantly decrease the annual total energy consumption, carbon emissions, and energy costs of DHW. Among the two operational strategies examined (economic optimal and environmental optimal), the economic optimal strategy is more suitable for China's current energy landscape. Under the economic optimal strategy, the annual total energy consumption, carbon emissions, and energy costs of DHW in the target building are reduced by 41.58 %, 27.97 %, and 34.87%, respectively.

Looking beyond energy efficiency and the role of financial literacy in experiencing fuel poverty: Evidence from Irish homeowners

Previous research has established that an effective way to fight fuel poverty is to increase levels of energy efficiency in residential buildings. A different strand of research has shown that the adoption of energy efficiency measures is more likely if people have high financial literacy. We combine these two strands of research by conducting a new survey among Irish homeowners and directly analysing the association between financial literacy and fuel poverty. Given that energy efficiency renovation is not always economically viable, we also investigate the drivers of other strategies to cope with high energy prices, such as switching the household’s energy supplier and using direct debit payments. While our results confirm that high energy efficiency is associated with lower fuel poverty, at least for some measures, we find no evidence of a link between people’s financial literacy and the energy efficiency level of their homes. We find only weak evidence of a direct negative association between financial literacy and fuel poverty. We investigate several related aspects of fuel poverty using our survey data. We find that low overall household income is strongly associated with a higher prevalence of subjective measures of fuel poverty, a lower likelihood to engage in some energy cost mitigation strategies, and the likelihood to see administrative challenges as insurmountable barriers in the retrofit process. Policy measures aiming to reduce fuel poverty or increase energy efficiency or financial literacy should therefore all focus on low-income households.

A Review of Cooling and Heating Loads Predictions of Residential Buildings Using Data-Driven Techniques

Energy efficiency is currently a hot topic in engineering due to the monetary and environmental benefits it brings. One aspect of energy efficiency in particular, the prediction of thermal loads (specifically heating and cooling), plays a significant role in reducing the costs associated with energy use and in minimising the risks associated with climate change. Recently, data-driven approaches, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques, have provided cost-effective and high-quality solutions for solving energy efficiency problems. This research investigates various ML methods for predicting energy efficiency in buildings, with a particular emphasis on heating and cooling loads. The review includes many ML techniques, including ensemble learning, support vector machines (SVM), artificial neural networks (ANN), statistical models, and probabilistic models. Existing studies are analysed and compared in terms of new criteria, including the datasets used, the associated platforms, and, more importantly, the interpretability of the models generated. The results show that, despite the problem under investigation being studied using a range of ML techniques, few have focused on developing interpretable classifiers that can be exploited by stakeholders to support the design of energy-efficient residential buildings for climate impact minimisation. Further research in this area is required.

Impact of Thermal Retrofits for Roofs on Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in India

Impact of Thermal Retrofits for Roofs on Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in India

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACTIVITIES IN BULGARIA – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN REGIONAL ASPECT

Environmental protection activities differ according the specifics of the regions. They lead to optimal use of resources, reduction of climate impact, ensuring security of energy supply, improving the health of ecosystems etc. The aim of the paper is to be prepared a comparative analysis between the planning regions in terms of environmental protection activities and on this basis to be determined the place of each region and to be evaluated the effectiveness of the financial sources used for environmental protection activities. The paper presents literature review of some environmental protection activities. The paper analyzes data related to the environmental protection activities undertaken in the planning regions related to household waste submitted for recycling, waste water discharged from treatment plants, installed renewable energy sources capacities, research and development expenditure, number of buildings financed under the National program for energy efficiency of multifamily residential buildings. Comparative analysis of environmental protection activities by planning regions is prepared in order to be presented the trends of some indicators and to be made a comparison between the regions. On the basis of the data analysis, the comparison between the planning regions for the period 2017 -2021 was made, and they were ranked in three groups – active, moderately active and low active. The analytical part of the paper also includes DEA analysis to be found the most effective region according to the chosen inputs. In all DEA models, the aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of indicators such as tangible fixed assets (TFA) with ecological use, expenditures for research and development and financial resources under the Operational program environment (OPE). These indicators are defined as Inputs. For outputs are chosen generated municipal waste, waste water discharged without treatment, CO2 emissions and destroyed territories. Based on the analysis are made some general conclusions and recommendations for increasing the engagement of the region to carry out environmental protection activities. The South Central and South Western regions are the most active in terms of carrying out activities that lead to environmental protection, the South Eastern and North Eastern regions can be defined as moderately active, and the North Central and North Western regions as low active in terms of environmental protection activities. In order to increase the engagement of the regions to carry out environmental protection activities, various initiatives can be taken, most often related to better understanding of ecological benefits, taking political actions and implementation of regulations in economic sectors related to the environment and natural resources, spreading of good practices. Key words: environment, planning region, regional differences JEL: P28, R11

Ensuring Sustainability of Residential Buildings by using Local Materials in the Conditions of the Republic of Moldova

The study is an overview of the current situation in the Republic of Moldova regarding the sustainability of residential buildings. Advances in the building industry indicate a shift towards energy efficiency with minimal consumption. The authors aim to find a sustainable solution for implementation in the Republic of Moldova. To achieve this, they perform energy efficiency calculations for the envelope of a residential building that utilizes locally available limestone blocks, sourced from 44 quarries across the territory. Technical abbreviations will be defined upon their first use. For thermal insulation, the authors suggest using two layers of masonry enclosing 6 cm thick polyurethane foam. The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance of sustainability in the construction of new residential buildings in the Republic of Moldova. This is particularly relevant in the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework on energy efficiency for residential buildings.

The Effect of Using Horizontal Shading Elements on the Energy Efficiency of Multistory Residential Buildings

Shading elements have been considered to be an important element in controlling the amount of heat and sunlight entering the spaces, the most common kinds of horizontal shading devices include architectural components including balconies, louvres, and roof overhangs. Residential buildings consume high energy by household appliances from air conditioning, which makes it the most energy consuming building. Therefore, the aim of this research is determine the effect of using horizontal shading elements on the energy efficiency of multi-storey residential buildings. DesignBuilder is a tool used in this research to evaluate the energy efficiency by comparing the typical room without shading elements and with typical room with shading elements with different depths under two district climatic conditions cold semi-arid climate and hot arid climate. The research found that energy saving between 0.5% to 30.8% when using horizontal shading elements depending on the orientation and location of the case study beside the depth of shading elements.

INVESTIGATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN IN ABUJA

ABSTRACT This study is an investigation of energy efficient and sustainable construction in Abuja. The specific objectives are to investigate energy efficiency and sustainability in BEEC standard residential buildings in Abuja, examine the major barriers militating against development of energy efficiency and sustainability in Abuja, and determine strategies to improve energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings in Abuja. The research design adopted survey analysis using primary data gathered through 5-point Likert scale structured questionnaire from a random selected residential buildings adhering to the Building Energy Efficiency Code (BEEC) standards. The sampling size of 303 respondents was established through Taro Yamane’s formula. Data was analyzed using multiple regression. The findings revealed that energy efficiency and sustainability in BEEC standard residential buildings in Abuja showed a positive significance with a coefficient of 7.5390 and a Sig. value of 0.0021. Increment in the installations and utilization of energy-efficient and sustainable fixture in construction of residential buildings in Abuja will bring a desirable level carbon emission savings. The exploration of energy-efficient and sustainable construction in Abuja reveals prominent barriers, including a lack of awareness, financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, policy and regulatory shortcomings, technology barriers, and resistance to change. These formidable challenges hinder the progress of sustainable construction initiatives in the region. The study identified key strategic factors essential for accelerating progress in this domain. These factors include energy efficiency design, the adoption of green building practices, integration of renewable energy sources, utilization of smart building technology, enhancing public awareness, and the implementation of government incentives. The study concluded that energy-efficient and sustainable construction in Abuja has the potential to reduce carbon emission to a desired level when given the attention it deserve.

An optimisation method for energy efficiency of residential buildings in cold regions based on genetic algorithm

An optimisation method for energy efficiency of residential buildings in cold regions based on genetic algorithm

Towards Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The thesis explores energy retrofitting options for enhancing the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It identifies and validates cost-effective energy retrofit schemes that have the potential for energy savings. The thesis also assesses the feasibility of energy retrofitting scenarios for building envelopes and their impact on reducing energy consumption, improving thermal comfort, and mitigating the environmental impact of buildings. The results of this research can guide architects and decision-makers on energy-saving measures for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia, with Jeddah serving as a representative case study. 

METHOD OF ARRANGEMENT OF INTERNAL THERMAL INSULATION OF EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE STRUCTURES OF THE ROOM

The paper presents the results of a study aimed at increasing energy efficiency in residential buildings, as well as an analysis of the humidity state and the possibility of condensation when using internal insulation. Numerical simulations were performed to confirm the results. The obtained results indicate that the use of mineral insulation "BETOL®" and aluminum foil used as a vapor barrier, applied from the inside, contributes to the improvement of thermal insulation of the walls and reduces the risks of condensation. Computer modeling showed that under the formed conditions, condensation is not observed. This research has an important contribution to the development of energy-efficient solutions for the construction industry, as it allows to ensure the minimum permissible value of heat transfer resistance of external enclosures, to extend their service life.

A STRATEGY FOR REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS IN A CITY USING A LOW-CARBON STRATEGY - A CASE STUDY

Various environmental policies are created on the basis of scientific knowledge in the sectors of energy, climate and transport. An important role has the Paris Agreement with the aim of limiting the increase in global temperature. The commitments regarding climate neutrality within the framework of "Fit for 55" are important. One of the principles of how to approach the reduction of CO2 emissions within the strategies of countries, regions, cities and municipalities is the use of low-carbon strategies. As part of the study, an analysis of the input data is carried out as part of the assessment of the energy demand and efficiency of public and residential buildings, buildings of the tertiary sector, energy consumption in the public lighting sector, or the use of renewable resources in the city. The aim of the article is to determine the potential of energy savings in individual sectors and propose measures to achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Energy-efficient residential building in Uzbekistan using local renewable raw materials based on the historical layout of housing

This article delves into the benefits of using low-tech, renewable, and local materials in architecture. Specifically, it compares the use of clay and straw with modern construction techniques, highlighting the significantly lower energy costs associated with the former. Through studies of thermophysical conditions, the thermal properties of walls made from these materials have been determined, which plays a crucial role in creating a comfortable microclimate inside buildings. Furthermore, research has identified buildings at risk due to their load-bearing capacity, leading to the development of construction methods for strengthening earthen walls that can be applied in building design and construction practice. Thanks to these newly developed methods and technologies, the construction of earth and straw buildings is now possible on a wider scale, including both standard and special designs.

Predicting and Optimizing the Energy Efficiency of Sustainable Residential Buildings Using Machine Learning Method

Predicting and Optimizing the Energy Efficiency of Sustainable Residential Buildings Using Machine Learning Method

Estimating residential buildings’ energy usage utilising a combination of Teaching–Learning–Based Optimization (TLBO) method with conventional prediction techniques

Among the most significant solutions suggested for estimating energy consumption and cooling load, one can refer to enhancing energy efficiency in non-residential and residential buildings. A structure's characteristics must be considered when estimating how much heating and cooling is required. To design and develop energy-efficient buildings, it can be helpful to research the characteristics of connected structures, such as the kinds of cooling and heating systems needed to ensure sui interior air quality. As an important part of energy consumption and demand of buildings, the assessment of cooling load conditions from the envelope of large buildings has not been comprehensively understood yet. In the present paper, a new conceptual system has been developed to anticipate cooling load in the sector of residential buildings. Also, the paper briefly describes the major models of the developed system to maintain continuity and concentrate on the prediction model of the cooling load. To predict cooling load, authors have modelled two methods of artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in conjunction with teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO). This article aims to illustrate how artificial intelligence (AI) approaches play an essential role in addressing the mentioned necessity and help estimate the optimal design parameters for various stations. The value of the multiple determination coefficient is also determined. The values of the training R2 (coefficient of multiple determination) are 0.96446 and 0.97585 for TLBO-MLP and TLBO-ANFIS in the training stage and 0.95855 and 0.9721 in the testing stage, respectively, with an unknown dataset which is acceptable. The training RMSE values for TLBO-MLP and TLBO-ANFIS are 0.0685 and 0.11176 for training and 0.07074 and 0.12035 for testing, respectively, for the unknown dataset, which is acceptable. The lowest RMSE value and the higher R2 value indicate the favourable accuracy of the TLBO-MLP technique. According to the high value of R2 (97%) and the low value of RMSE, TLBO-MLP can predict residential buildings’ cooling load.