Scientific Research and Essays

  • Abbreviation: Sci. Res. Essays
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-2248
  • DOI: 10.5897/SRE
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2768

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring role of different floor, wall and roof details in energy efficiency of a bungalow house in Malaysia

Saber Sabouri1*, M. F.  M. Zain2 and M. Jamil2
1Faculty of Architecture, Seraj Higher Educational Institute, Ark Alley, Shariati Cross, Tabriz, Iran. 2Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 08 November 2011
  •  Published: 09 December 2011

Abstract

Energy has undeniable role in sustainable architecture. Building sections consume 15 to 60% of whole energy in different countries. Residential sector includes 19% of energy consumption in Malaysia. In this study, a bungalow house as a common low density house in Malaysia was simulated by Design Builder software based on Energy plus program. Then its different components including floor, wall, roof and their influence were explored by simulations of various alternatives. Results showed that naturally ventilated raised floor in first floor with 19 mm wooden material could save 9.4% of cooling electricity. Changing wall detail of first floor (naturally ventilated floor at night time) from heavyweight to lightweight could save 16% of cooling energy and replacing white painted steel instead of concrete tile  could decrease 5.8% more cooling energy. Composition of these components in proposed house presented 28.3% cooling energy saving.

 

Key words: Cooling energy, floor, wall, roof, bungalow house.