Investigation of the Palestinian overall heat transfer coefficient and comparison with International Building Codes

The issue of increasing energy consumed in buildings and the need for thermal insulation regulations has become a major concern in Palestine with increasingly alarming warnings of climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels. In this study, the overall heat transfer coefficient U-value in the Palestinian energy-efficient building code was reviewed for walls, floors, roofs, doors, and windows. U-value expresses the amount of heat transfer from the building to the external outside air. U-value was investigated concerning the average value for the U-value (Average U-value), heating degree days, and energy consumption due to the heating load. The investigation in this study suggested a new average U-value of 0.85 W/m(2).K was suggested which can result in approximately 44% energy saving and make the energy consumption in the Palestinian residential buildings comparable to the values of the International Energy Consumption Codes.