Papers by Keyword: Residential Building

Abstract: The overconsumption of finite energy resources by the residential sector, especially during the summer season in Saudi Arabia, is due to an almost insatiable need for air conditioning to reduce heat. Cheap electricity prices also contribute to high consumption in apartment buildings. At least 50% of electricity consumption is used in households, where air conditioners consume about three-quarters of total usage. This study will evaluate the thermal performance of low-rise residential buildings in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The selected building, newly built in 2020, has three floors. To explore the internal thermal performance of the selected apartment, readings were taken in June 2021. Data collected included indoor air temperature values recorded every fifteen minutes., over a one-week period, in two parts of the case study building. In addition, point measurements of specific environment variables were performed at selected time points. On-site readings have been tabulated and analyzed, and the results provide a more accurate measurement of the fabric and design performance of existing buildings, particularly the side walls, floors and ceilings. outside, to evaluate internal thermal performance. The results illustrate the effectiveness of existing building structures used in the case study building. Also, this study concluded that indoor surface temperatures were up to 6.5 °C higher than indoor air temperatures, despite having thermal insulation on external surfaces.

Abstract: The vertical growth of cities is a general phenomenon in many countries, aiming to address a more efficient use of space, due to the high cost of the urban area. In the Dominican Republic, approximately 11% of households are apartment buildings, being the second predominant group of residential buildings. According to the National Statistics Office (ONE), the construction of this type of residential buildings is growing significantly, especially in the biggest city of the country. This research has analyzed the interior thermal behavior of these types of households using DesignBuilder®, an energy and environmental simulation software, searching for passive alternatives to allow the reduction of interior temperatures, as a result of overheating because of the tropical climate conditions. The most common type of four levels buildings have been analyzed in this study, through the evaluation of different parameters, such as the optimal orientation, the effect of using sunshades in the windows, and the modification of the building envelope. The objective of the study if to identifying the best alternatives to achieve the thermal comfort of the building, without the use of active control climate techniques such as air conditioning.

Abstract: Abstract. This paper presents the measurement results of three building wall materials which are commonly used for residential housings in Indonesia, namely clay brick, batako (concrete brick), and precast concrete. In-situ measurement of the steady state thermal flow (heat flux) at building walls (envelopes) is conducted in order to determine the thermal resistance of building wall according to ASTM C1155. The results show that all three building materials having a thermal resistance values are far below the energy conservation provisions of ASHRAE 90.1 and especially when compared to the provision of high performance green building ASHRAE 189.1 It is found that precast concrete has higher thermal resistance (or has lower thermal conductivity) than that of other two materials, hence a better compliance to the ASHRAE standards.

Abstract: Under the framework of "Kyoto Protocol", CDM mechanisms and the formation of carbon financial markets supply a platform for developing countries to participate in the global greenhouse gas emission reduction activities. PCDM projects will be the inevitable choice in the area of energy-saving construction. This paper analyzes the CDM mechanism and the applied limitations of CDM in the field of energy-saving residential building and then it points out the potential of PCDM in Chinese energy-saving construction and finally puts forward suggestions for promoting the residential building PCDM projects

Abstract: The energy efficiencies of two kinds of ground-source heat pump systems (GSHPs) are evaluated in this study based on field data. The two kinds of GSHPs are a ground-coupled heat pump system (GCHPs) and a groundwater heat pump system (GWHPs) which were installed in two apartment buildings of wuhan, respectively. We monitored various operating parameters, including the outdoor temperature, the flow rate, the electrical consumption and the water temperature. The values of coefficient of performance (COP) of system and chiller were evaluated based on a series of measurements. The seasonal COP of the chillers of the GCHPs and the GSHPs were 4.45 and 3.94 in the cooling season, 5.07 and 3.69 in the heating season. The comparison of COP implies that the GWHPs is more efficient than the GCHPs due to its steady water temperature of ground source heat exchanger.

Abstract: According to PM2.5 contamination in residential building, a mathematical model is established about the effect of natural ventilation on PM2.5 pollution control based on calculus method. On the basis of some actual cases, such as indoor smoking and cleaning, indoor PM2.5 concentration is calculated for different air change rate and outdoor air quality. The concept of critical ventilation rate is provided. The conclusion of the paper provides some advice on natural ventilation and indoor life behavior.

Abstract: This paper proposes a methodology for analysis, evaluation and selection of the optimal variant for systems designed to ensure thermal comfort in residential buildings. It identifies as a tool that can analyze in detail the technical and economic point of view, the characteristics of a thermal system (closing elements of a building) and heating equipment, subsequent recovery process of the energy potential of multiple energy resources - can provide in terms of cost optimal the thermal comfort.

Abstract: In South Korea, the need for residential modular buildings has highlighted, due to the increase in demand for small housing and the high land price in urban area. Thus, the cruse housing system (CHS) was developed to build high-rise residential buildings. The object of this study is to analyze the characteristics and fabrication processes of CHS residential buildings when the in-fill construction method is adopted. The result of this study showed that there is the potential to utilize the fabrication processes of CHS in-fill construction system to build high-rise modular buildings.

Abstract: The most basic way to keep comfortable indoor environments for a building’s occupants and save energy for space heating and cooling in residential buildings is to insulate the building envelope. Among the building materials to be used, thermal insulation materials primarily influence thermal performance. In particular, the type, thermal conductivity, density, and thickness of heat insulator, are important factors influencing thermal insulation performance. We investigate the design status of residential buildings which were designed in accordance with the building code of Korea and selected the type of thermal insulation materials applied to the walls of buildings. The present study aims at measuring the thermal conductivity of thermal insulation materials used for building walls of residential buildings. In this study, after collecting the design documents of 129 residential buildings, we investigated the type and thickness of insulation materials on the exterior wall specified in the design documents. As the thermal insulation materials, extruded polystyrene (XPS) board and expanded polystyrene(EPS) board are used the most widely in Korea when designing residential buildings. The thickness of thermal insulation materials applied to the exterior wall was 70mm, most frequently applied to the design. We measured the thermal conductivity and the density of XPS board and EPS board. When the density of XPS and EPS was 30~35 kg/㎥, the thermal conductivity of XPS was 0.0292 W/mK and it of EPS was 0.0316 W/mK.

Abstract: Today energy consumption is one of the controversial issues in the world. The rapid growing world energy consumption has already increased concern about the supply problems, heavy environmental effects such as global warming, climate change and etc. One of the most users of energy is residential buildings that consume the biggest share of energy. Growth in population, rising demand for buildings together causes to increase the upward trend in energy consumption. Therefore, energy efficiency in buildings plays a significant role to decrease the environmental effect. The goal of this paper is optimizing the main elements which are window, ceiling and wall by considering the effect of uncontrollable factors such as humidity , temperature and pressure in residential buildings using statistical method namely Taguchi method (JMP 11 software). A two-storey house in Malaysia was selected to simulate by means of BIM application. Based on the result, the optimum energy saving will be achieved when the type of material which are used for wall ,ceiling and window to be Brick Plaster , Acoustic Tile Suspended and Single Glazed Alum Frame respectively.