Optimization of materials to improve energy consumption performance within thermal comfort for residential schools in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Architecture, engineering, modern academy, Egypt, Cairo

Abstract

The research paper presents an optimized model for optimal design solutions to provide the best thermal comfort within residential school buildings, using Innovative materials with a specific criterion of Thermal Transmittance (U-value), to achieve the best thermal comfort between 23.5oC and 25.5OC, with humidity of 30-60% respectively according to ASHREE-55 [1], while achieving the highest possible reduction in energy consumption. To achieve the research objectives, a building was chosen for one of the residential schools in Obour City, Cairo, the building consists of two floors only, the ground and the first floor, for adult users. The research dealt with the building’s first “last level floor” as a case in which the developed model is applied.
The research results showed that four factors directly impact the amount of energy consumed needed to achieve appropriate thermal comfort. These factors are represented in the degree of optimization "heat transfer coefficient of the roof representing 28.5 % - the solar heat gain coefficient of the external windows representing 4.80% - the heat transfer coefficient of the exterior walls representing 23.3 % - the lowest percentage of energy efficiency is for (Floor materials 4.3% and wall paints representing 1.1%) and the percentage of energy efficiency resulting from the four factors combined is 62% of energy.
The research study’s results provide information that contributes to finding optimal solutions for choosing building materials and finishes that achieve the best thermal comfort inside buildings while achieving the best energy efficiency.

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