A Study of Energy Efficiency Simulation Programs and Energy Saving Optimization Analysis of Building Envelopment Parameters in Turkey

Abstract

This study focused on optimizing energy consumption in buildings by improving the building envelope, which accounts for a significant portion of heating and cooling energy usage. The research took an existing building in the Konya-Meram region as an example and conducted experiments on insulation, window-to-wall ratio, and glass thickness. Simulations were performed considering the climate of the Turkey-Konya region for comparative analysis. Various programs, such as Revit, Ecotect, Hap, and the Izoder TS-825 calculator (the Turkish standard) were utilized to evaluate energy efficiency. The results of the comparative analysis indicated that the Ecotect program provides the closest match to the calculations, hence enabling optimization experiments throughout the study. The optimal insulation thickness was determined to be between 7–11 cm; implementing an insulation thickness of 11 cm results in a substantial 46.71% reduction in heating load and an overall annual energy savings of 3.896%. However, further increases in insulation thickness beyond 11 cm do not yield significant energy savings. Regarding window-to-wall ratios, the optimal ratio in Konya was determined to be 75%, resulting in savings of 5.04%. In conclusion, this study emphasized the importance of the building envelope for energy efficiency and presented optimized solutions for insulation, window-to-wall ratio, and glass thickness in Konya city. The results of this study make a valuable contribution towards achieving notable reductions in energy consumption and highlight the possibility of enhancing energy efficiency in the structures located in the study area.