Investigation of Energy Consumption in Urban Residential Buildings:

Abstract

Urban Urban buildings play a significant role in global energy consumption, with heating, cooling, and
lighting representing major energy demands. This study investigates the impact of building envelope
design on energy efficiency in urban residential structures by combining detailed EnergyPlus simulation
models with field data collected from ten urban residential buildings. Three envelope design scenarios are
compared: a conventional baseline design, an enhanced insulation configuration, and an advanced glazing
solution that integrates superior insulation with spectrally selective windows.
Simulation results, validated by field data, indicate that envelope improvements can lower annual energy
consumption for space conditioning by 15–25% relative to standard designs. Enhanced envelopes reduce
energy losses during winter and minimize solar heat gain in summer, resulting in balanced thermal comfort
year-round. Sensitivity analysis further highlights the critical role of window performance, suggesting that
even modest glazing enhancements can significantly complement insulation improvements.
These findings support the adoption of integrated envelope design strategies to improve urban building
energy performance and provide insights for updating building codes and incentive programs to promote
sustainable development. Overall, the research offers guidance for sustainability.