A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Design optimization of energy efficient residential buildings in Tunisia
Abstract A sequential search technique is applied to optimize the design of residential buildings in Tunisia in order to minimize their life cycle energy costs while increasing their energy efficiency. In the analysis, design features of air-conditioned single-family homes (i.e., villas) are considered including orientation, window location and size, glazing type, wall and roof insulation levels, lighting fixtures, appliances, and efficiencies of heating and cooling systems. First, the results of the sequential search technique are compared against those obtained by a more time consuming brute-force optimization approach. Then, the optimal design features for villas are determined for selected locations in Tunisia. The optimization results indicate that adding roof insulation, reducing air infiltration, installation energy efficient appliances, lighting fixtures, and heating and cooling equipment are required energy efficiency measures to design high energy performance homes throughout climatic zones in Tunisia. In particular, it is found that implementing these measures can cost-effectively reduce the annual energy use by 50% compared to the current design practices of homes in Tunisia.
Highlights ► Optimization analysis to select energy efficiency measures suitable for residential buildings. ► Roof insulation, reducing air leakage, and installation of energy efficient appliances are cost effective. ► The optimal design is suitable in any climate zone in Tunisia.
Design optimization of energy efficient residential buildings in Tunisia
Abstract A sequential search technique is applied to optimize the design of residential buildings in Tunisia in order to minimize their life cycle energy costs while increasing their energy efficiency. In the analysis, design features of air-conditioned single-family homes (i.e., villas) are considered including orientation, window location and size, glazing type, wall and roof insulation levels, lighting fixtures, appliances, and efficiencies of heating and cooling systems. First, the results of the sequential search technique are compared against those obtained by a more time consuming brute-force optimization approach. Then, the optimal design features for villas are determined for selected locations in Tunisia. The optimization results indicate that adding roof insulation, reducing air infiltration, installation energy efficient appliances, lighting fixtures, and heating and cooling equipment are required energy efficiency measures to design high energy performance homes throughout climatic zones in Tunisia. In particular, it is found that implementing these measures can cost-effectively reduce the annual energy use by 50% compared to the current design practices of homes in Tunisia.
Highlights ► Optimization analysis to select energy efficiency measures suitable for residential buildings. ► Roof insulation, reducing air leakage, and installation of energy efficient appliances are cost effective. ► The optimal design is suitable in any climate zone in Tunisia.
Design optimization of energy efficient residential buildings in Tunisia
Ihm, Pyeongchan (author) / Krarti, Moncef (author)
Building and Environment ; 58 ; 81-90
2012-06-16
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Design optimization of energy efficient residential buildings in Tunisia
| British Library Online Contents | 2012
Design optimization of energy efficient residential buildings in Tunisia
| Online Contents | 2012
Energy-Efficient Experimental Residential and Office Buildings
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994