Assessing Embodied And Operational Energy In Residential Buildings: A Comparative Study In Adama Town For Energy Efficient Design

Abstract

The energy efficiency of residential buildings is a crucial factor in achieving sustainability and environmental conservation. The construction sector is one of the most energy-consuming sectors, and understanding this industry can help minimize energy waste and the consumption of limited natural resources. The rapid development of residential buildings in Adama town warrants an investigation into the potential for energy efficiency improvements. This research aims to provide recommendations for energy-efficient building designs and appropriate material selection to reduce both embodied and operational energy consumption in residential constructions in Adama town. The primary objective is to assess and compare the energy usage during the construction and operation phases of different residential building typologies. The study was conducted in Dagaga Kebele, where G+0 (ground floor) residential buildings were categorized into four typologies: L-shaped, Villa, Service, and Public houses. A stratified random sampling method was used to select the samples, and an input-output approach was employed to evaluate their energy consumption. The findings indicate that the newly trending L-shaped designs and construction consume more embodied energy (3,549,550 MJ) and operational energy (2463.33 MJ) compared to the other typologies. The Villa design has an embodied energy of (1,122,795.5 MJ) and operational energy of (2,299.36 MJ), while the Public Housing design has an embodied energy of (925,931.3 MJ) and operational energy of (1,555.2 MJ). The Service design has an embodied energy of (478,736 MJ) and operational energy of (291.96 MJ). This highlights the need to upgrade the design and material choices to minimize energy wastage. The study recommends that the construction sector should prioritize energy efficiency and environmental compatibility when planning and constructing buildings, rather than repeating previous designs. The town's construction administration should create an energy-efficient strategy for building, design, and material selection. Architects and construction professionals should prioritize daylighting and ventilation in room design and construction. Avoid high-energy-consuming construction materials to minimize the embodied energy of the building, especially the roof and the massive concrete work, which is the current trend also Maximize the window-to-wall ratio to control operational energy efficiency.