Assessing the Energy Efficiency of Different Construction Materials in Education Buildings: A Case Study from Albanian Practice

Abstract

The escalating energy requirements in edifices, especially in academic establishments, emphasize the necessity for improved energy efficacy and sustainable energy mechanisms. The EnergyPlus simulation software and OpenStudio tools, in combination with SketchUp, are employed to conduct the assessment. The thesis endeavours to assess the energy efficiency of various building materials, namely Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, Brick, Insulated Concrete Forms, and Structural Insulated Panels, identifying the optimal configurations that are best suited to the prevailing climatic conditions of the city. This thesis employs a comparative approach to acknowledge the intrinsic diversity and multifaceted factors present in educational buildings. The analysis encompasses a range of factors, such as the orientation of the openings, thermal mass, and insulation layers. The study reveals that Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) exhibit the highest energy efficiency among the four materials, with 11.8% less site energy and 9% less source energy than brick, which has the lowest efficiency.