Influence of Building Components on Energy Consumption: A Simulation-Based energy Efficiency Analysis using Equest

Abstract

The energy efficiency of buildings is heavily influenced by the choice of construction materials and components, such as walls, doors, and windows. This study looks at how various combinations of these elements impact overall energy consumption through a simulation-based analysis. Using eQuest, a detailed energy modelling tool, various configurations of wall types (brickwork, cool exterior, plastering), doors (wood, glass, glass aluminium frame), and windows (wood, fiberglass, glass aluminium frame) were tested to evaluate their effect on annual electric consumption. The simulation aimed to identify which component configurations led to the most significant reductions in energy use. key findings reveal that configurations with plastering walls generally demonstrated lower annual energy consumption compared to brickwork or cool exterior walls. Additionally, the combination of plastering walls, wood doors, and wood windows resulted in the lowest energy consumption, achieving an annual electric usage of 913.74 kWh. In contrast, certain combinations with brickwork walls and glass door options showed higher energy demands. These results suggest that, by optimizing wall, door, and window types, building energy efficiency might be quite improved, leading to more sustainable design choices. The information this study offers can guide architects and builders in selecting materials that enhance energy performance, contributing to reduced environmental impact and operational costs in building construction.