A Study of strategies for energy efficient envelope designing for residential buildings in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Being scared resources energy conservation is becoming an important issue today. It behaves that the new energy conservation strategies, regulations considerable contribute to solve the problem. Energy efficient building code (EEBC) for Commercial buildings (Published by Ceylon Electricity Board) has get certain guidelines / regulations to achieve energy saving of the Commercial sector buildings. However yet there is no such rule or code to guide or investigate the domestic energy usage. At the same time electricity consumption in residential sector in Sri Lanka is almost significant percentage of the total electricity supply. Also total electricity demand of the country increasing approximately 10% annually. Hence Energy efficiency achieved through building designing is important. For this matter it attempts to examine the energy efficient envelope designing. Therefore several residential houses were examined and analyzed in terms of architectural portion of (overall thermal transfer values) electricity usage and OTTV of them, these were tested for different OTTVS to minimize solar heat gin into a building, therefore, a primary consideration in design of energy efficient buildings. Also discussed architectural techniques, types of materials on the heat transfer through the building envelope to achieve most suitable combination in the Sri Lankan context. It was found that proper ties pertaining to thermal properties of, envelope, materials, open spaces, etc helps to achieve comfort levels. There by it could be achieve balance of energy efficient and user comfort at the same time. In conclusion recommendations have been made for better envelope design.