Abstract:
In an era of rapid development, the pressing need for energy conservation has underscored
the imperative of establishing sustainable practices in mosque construction.
Many nations have responded by formulating regulations and techniques to enhance
energy efficiency and longevity in existing mosques. Nevertheless, the upfront expenditures
associated with these solutions often deter decision-makers, prompting them to
explore alternative avenues, even if they entail higher operational costs. Addressing this
challenge, ongoing research delves into a comprehensive investigation of how distinct
cooling load reduction strategies, encompassing both active and passive approaches,
could influence the overall cost dynamics of mosques over time. Concentrating on the
context of a hot and arid climate, guided by principles of environmentally conscious
construction, a spectrum of strategies including exterior wall insulation employing cellular
polyurethane, external shading utilizing horizontal single panels, HRBLUE2 windows,
R10 polystyrene roof insulation, night ventilation practices, and LED lighting
systems were carefully selected after through elaboration and evaluated. The objective
was to distinguish the optimum combination of these strategies to find out the least
cooling load. Their efficacy in curbing heat accumulation was assessed via simulations
executed using the DesignBuilder V7.0.2 software. Moreover, the research aimed to
compute the life cycle costs attributed to these cooling strategies. The life cycle cost of
all identified strategies was thoroughly calculated. The recommendations involve indication
of combination of strategies that efficiently reduce cooling loads, indication of
combination of strategy with minimal life cycle costs, and lastly, option with optimal
overall performance, specifically tailored for mosque environments.
