The Application of Rivet, HAP, and Ecotect Programs for the Analysis of Building Envelope Parameters to Optimize Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings: A Case of Baghdad-Iraq

Abstract

With the growing emphasis on energy conservation and emission reduction in Iraq, there has been a rising focus on the consumption of energy in buildings. This phenomenon is attributable to its substantial contribution to aggregate energy consumption within society. Consequently, the primary focus of energy conservation research has been directed towards this particular domain. There has been a growing emphasis in energy conservation research on public buildings characterized by elevated levels of energy consumption. The examination of energy conservation in expansive public structures carries substantial practical significance and societal value. This study employs a building in Baghdad City - Iraq, as a case study. The research was centred on the execution of experiments pertaining to insulation, the ratio of windows to walls, and the thickness of window glass. A comparative analysis was undertaken through the implementation of simulations that considered the climatic conditions of the Baghdad- Iraq region. In order to evaluate energy efficiency, a variety of software applications were utilized, namely Revit, Ecotect, and Hap. The results showed that when analyzing the climate of Baghdad, it was observed that the total cooling savings ranged from 2.34% to 2.45%. As a result, it was determined that the optimal insulation thickness is 11cm. Additionally, it was observed that the energy savings in cooling remained consistent. The analysis of window-to-wall ratios has shown that the highest level of savings can be achieved by maintaining a window-to- wall ratio of 50%. During the calculation of window glass thickness, it was discovered that in the city of Baghdad, the ideal glass thickness is 2mm. This thickness leads to a 1% reduction in annual energy consumption for cooling purposes. The results of this study are significant as they can significantly contribute to reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the authors highlight the potential for improving energy efficiency in the buildings situated within the specified study area.