Influence of material selection on energy demand in residential houses

Authors: Nuki Agya Utama and Shabbir H. Gheewala
The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

Available online 12 September 2008.

Abstract

Utilizing local materials for improving the energy demand in the single landed houses in Indonesia is very promising, since it also entails less cost during production and transportation. Many possible scenarios have been proposed towards this end such as improving building craftsmanship, using double walls with cavity, double walls with bamboo in between and introducing less transparent glass.

The scenarios are tested in terms of the additional initial investment in terms of energy and cost and the benefits accrued for life cycle energy and cost. Energy and cost payback are computed to evaluate each scenario and a framework proposed for quick screening of building materials.

Keywords: Building fabrics; Environmental performance; Material properties

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