Designing zero-energy buildings in developing countries is a significant challenge due to a lack of viable techniques and the high cost of energy-saving investments.
This research addresses this gap by evaluating retrofitting strategies for institutional buildings across three distinct hot climate zones in Egypt.
By using dynamic simulations validated against actual energy data, the study explores how to maximize energy savings without sacrificing human comfort.
The findings explicitly highlight that while technical solutions like reflective paints can slash building energy demand by up to 21%, the success of these policies depends on a “balanced” approach.
For building owners and policymakers, the study demonstrates that improving indoor thermal comfort is the key to making energy efficiency attractive. By combining local sensitivity analysis with an environmental-economic assessment, the researchers provide a strategic framework for transforming existing urban structures into high-performance, livable environments.
Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1002/er.7166
Reference
William, M. A., Suárez‐López, M. J., Soutullo, S., & Hanafy, A. A. (2021). Building envelopes toward energy‐efficient buildings: A balanced multi‐approach decision making. International Journal of Energy Research, 45(15), 21096–21113