A numerical approach to design building envelope for energy efficient building

The building sector is more responsible for the enormous energy demand, and a possible solution would be to select an optimum building envelope design. The analysis of the thermal response factors of the envelope is essential since the building suffers from overheating if it is insulated with high thermal inertia. The objective of the present work is to propose an approach using the finite volume method for Energy Efficient Building Envelope (EEBE) design when the building is oriented in the optimum direction. Further, Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM) is employed to predict the optimum building orientation sustainable building design. Five different envelope designs (ED) are considered, and their thermal response factors are analyzed. Pertinent to Indian climatic conditions, 11 major cities are considered, which certainly fall from composite, hot-dry, temperate, and warm-humid. The results show that the envelope design of the external wall is influenced by insulation material and its location within the structure. It is observed that ED-II has shown a reduction in cooling load of 11.5%, 10.03%, and 12.59% for composite, temperate and warm-humid, respectively, and ED-III showed 11.15% reduction in cooling load for hot-dry than conventional envelope design, i.e., ED-I. The developed approach in the present research work is helpful to enhance the decision-making in the energy efficient building design for designers and building architects.