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A Sensitivity Analysis for Thermal Performance of Building Envelope Design Parameters

Author

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  • Sara Elhadad

    (Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Minia 61111, Egypt
    Szentágothai Research Centre, Energia Design Building Technology Research Group, Ifjúság útja 20, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary
    Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Marcel Breuer Doctoral School, University of Pécs, Boszorkány ut 2, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Zoltan Orban

    (Structural Diagnostics and Analysis Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs, Boszorkány ut 2, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary)

Abstract

Sensitivity analysis is crucial in building energy assessments. It is used to determine the major variables influencing building thermal performance, using both observational research and energy simulation models. This study investigates the most influential envelope design parameters on the thermal performance of a typical residential building in Budapest, Hungary. Sensitivity analysis is used in conjunction with the IDA-Indoor and Climate Energy (IDA-ICE 4.8) simulation tool to assess the effects of 33 envelope design parameters for energy consumption and carbon dioxide concentrations. The input parameters include thickness, materials, density, specific heat and thermal conductivity of the basement, exterior floor, interior floor, exterior wall, interior wall, roof, ground slab, glazing type, and infiltration rate. The results show that exterior floor materials have the biggest impact on annual delivered energy for heating and cooling, whereas the density of all structural elements and thickness of the basement, exterior floors, interior floors, and walls have minimal effects on energy consumption. It is also shown that the impact of all investigated parameters is not sensitive to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building. The authors consider that the findings of the paper assist designers to assess the performance of existing buildings and more efficiently generating alternative solutions in the energetic retrofitting of existing and energy design of new residential buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Elhadad & Zoltan Orban, 2021. "A Sensitivity Analysis for Thermal Performance of Building Envelope Design Parameters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:14018-:d:706036
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ucar, Aynur, 2010. "Thermoeconomic analysis method for optimization of insulation thickness for the four different climatic regions of Turkey," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 1854-1864.
    2. Ádám László Katona & Huang Xuan & Sara Elhadad & István Kistelegdi & István Háber, 2020. "High-Resolution CFD and In-Situ Monitoring Based Validation of an Industrial Passive Air Conduction System (PACS)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Xiaojing Meng & Beibei Wei & Yingni Zhai, 2020. "Sensitivity Analysis of Envelope Design Parameters of Industrial Buildings with Natural Ventilation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-12, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. El-Raheim, D. Abd & Mohamed, A. & Abou-Ziyan, H. & Fatouh, M., 2023. "The essential properties governing the appropriate selection of phase change materials integrated into heavy structure buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    2. Rojhat Ibrahim & Sara Elhadad & Bálint Baranyai & Tamás János Katona, 2022. "Impact Assessment of Morphology and Layout of Zones on Refugees’ Affordable Core Shelter Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Zihan Liu & Dong Jing & Yu Han & Jingxin Yu & Tiangang Lu & Lili Zhangzhong, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors Analysis of Reference Evapotranspiration in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region from 1990 to 2019 under Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-22, May.

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