Abstract:
There are several ways and tools for saving energy. If the sole objective is to limit and save the costs for energy consumption, the best option is to find a way to make the whole structure energy smart and improve not only the energy efficiency of some single component but treat the whole building as one unit.
The target of the thesis is to determine how to minimize energy consumption of the building. There are multiple aspects which has direct influence on the energy consumption and it is tedius to consider all of them at once, therefore through a careful literature review and qualitative analysis few features of energy efficient design are considered for analysis and simulations.In this thesis a reference building is planned and designed using simulation tool Design Builder with the least conceivable energy consumption. The theoratical portion of the thesis covers the core features and facets of energy efficient design using articles and literature. Several options gathered from experts opinions and literature review are considered for each feature. After covering the thoeratical portion, as per simulation software results and cost/benefit analysis best alternative solution with minimum energy consumption and high cost/benefit ratio is selected.
The results showed a vast improvement in terms of energy and cost. The building with energy efficient design consumes 60% less energy relative to the base case. Finally it can be concluded that the process of designing energy efficient residential buildings is not a ‘one-man’s show’. Architects, developers, interior designers and clients are the other actors who can bring a change in the design practice.
