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Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "G: Energy and Buildings".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 11861

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jozsef Nyers

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Guest Editor

School of Applied Informatics and Applied Mathematics, Obuda University Budapest, Bécsi út 96/B, 1034 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: renewable energies; heat pumps; heat pump heating systems; thermal isolation; energy and energy-economical optimization; mathematical models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Árpád Nyers

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Guest Editor

Department of Building Services and Building Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University Pecs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
Interests: heat pumps; heat pump heating-cooling systems; energy efficiency; thermal isulation, Mathematic models; energy optimization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the developed world, energy consumption is rapidly growing, and so is the environmental load. One consequence of it is global warming. Buildings make a major contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the aim of the Special Issue is to publish papers presenting the possibilities to improve energy performance of buildings based on the latest research results.

The potential for energy savings in buildings mainly lies in the use of the thermal insulation, renewable energy sources and, to some extent, energy storage.

Energy consumption is slightly affected by the control of heating–cooling systems and the value of comfort parameters. Therefore, the Special Issue involves the aforementioned scope and topics.

In order to increase the energy efficiency of buildings, we would like to ask colleagues to participate in this Special Issue by presenting their new research results in scientific papers.

We invite papers on innovation, reviews, case studies, analytical and numerical energy optimization, as well as assessment papers about the discipline of energy-efficient buildings.

Of course, the listed scope (keywords) can be expanded with other topics, as well.

Prof. Dr. Jozsef Nyers
Dr. Árpád Nyers
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

thermal isolation of the buildings
heat storage systems
energy effective heating and cooling systems
thermal comfort and energy efficiency
building operation and monitoring
control systems in the buildings
energy recovery systems

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Related Special Issue

Energy Efficiency of the Buildings II in Energies (13 articles)

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 1725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Forecasting Heat Power Demand in Retrofitted Residential Buildings

by Łukasz Guz, Dariusz Gaweł, Tomasz Cholewa, Alicja Siuta-Olcha, Martyna Bocian and Mariia Liubarska

Energies 2025, 18(3), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030679 - 1 Feb 2025

Viewed by 197

Abstract

The accurate prediction of heat demand in retrofitted residential buildings is crucial for optimizing energy consumption, minimizing unnecessary losses, and ensuring the efficient operation of heating systems, thereby contributing to significant energy savings and sustainability. Within the framework of this article, the dependence of the energy consumption of a thermo-modernized building on a chosen set of climatic factors has been meticulously analyzed. Polynomial fitting functions were derived to describe these dependencies. Subsequent analyses focused on predicting heating demand using artificial neural networks (ANN) were adopted by incorporating a comprehensive set of climatic data such as outdoor temperature; humidity and enthalpy of outdoor air; wind speed, gusts, and direction; direct, diffuse, and total radiation; the amount of precipitation, the height of the boundary layer, and weather forecasts up to 6 h ahead. Two types of networks were analyzed: with and without temperature forecast. The study highlights the strong influence of outdoor air temperature and enthalpy on heating energy demand, effectively modeled by third-degree polynomial functions with R² values of 0.7443 and 0.6711. Insolation (0–800 W/m²) and wind speeds (0–40 km/h) significantly impact energy demand, while wind direction is statistically insignificant. ANN demonstrates high accuracy in predicting heat demand for retrofitted buildings, with R² values of 0.8967 (without temperature forecasts) and 0.8968 (with forecasts), indicating minimal performance gain from the forecasted data. Sensitivity analysis reveals outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and enthalpy of outdoor air as critical inputs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

17 pages, 6346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rule-Based Energy Management System to Enhance PV Self-Consumption in a Building: A Real Case

by Haritza Camblong, Irati Zapirain, Octavian Curea, Juanjo Ugartemendia, Zina Boussaada and Ramon Zamora

Energies 2024, 17(23), 6099; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17236099 - 4 Dec 2024

Viewed by 624

Abstract

The building sector has an important role in the decarbonization of energy. Buildings energy management systems can act on flexible loads to contribute to the integration of renewable energies. This article presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a rule-based energy management systems (RB-EMS) in the frame of a collective self-consumption (CSC) system based on photovoltaic (PV) energy in the Technology Park of Izarbel, in Bidart, France. The RB-EMS acts on the heat ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of one of the buildings involved in the CSC in order to maximize the PV energy self-consumption rate (SCR). Internet of things (IoT) has been developed and implemented in order to retrieve consumption, production and temperature data, and to be able to act on the HVAC. A new 5-step methodology has been developed to design and adjust the RB-EMS. This methodology is mainly based on tests carried out to find the relationship between ON/OFF states of the internal units of the HVAC and the heat pumps’ consumption. Finally, the RB-EMS is tested in heating operating mode. The results show that the RB-EMS allows obtaining a SCR of 89%, and that the users comfort limits are respected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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19 pages, 4517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Actual and Required Cooling Demand for Buildings with Extensive Transparent Surfaces

by Attila Kostyák, Szabolcs Szekeres and Imre Csáky

Energies 2024, 17(23), 5814; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17235814 - 21 Nov 2024

Viewed by 425

Abstract

Energy consumption in buildings with large, glazed facades rises markedly in the summer, driven by cooling demands that vary with structural characteristics and external climate conditions. This study is unique in examining daily cooling needs in lightweight and heavyweight constructions, utilizing meteorological data from 782 summer days in Debrecen, Hungary. Unlike standard approaches, which often overlook localized meteorological variables, this analysis focuses on actual “clear sky” scenarios across distinct summer day types: normal, hot, and torrid. The findings indicate that orientation and construction type significantly affect cooling demands, with east-facing rooms demanding up to 14.2% more cooling in lightweight structures and up to 35.8% in heavyweight structures during peak hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). This study reveals that for west-facing facades, extending use beyond 4 p.m. markedly increases energy loads. Furthermore, the cooling demand peak for heavyweight buildings occurs later in the day, driven by their higher thermal capacity. These insights underscore the importance of aligning HVAC system design with operational schedules and building orientation, offering data-driven strategies to enhance energy efficiency in buildings with diverse thermal and solar exposure profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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17 pages, 2358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Efficiency—Case Study for Households in Poland

by Arkadiusz Gromada and Paulina Trębska

Energies 2024, 17(18), 4592; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17184592 - 13 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1096

Abstract

This article aimed to identify actions to improve energy efficiency in households. A household’s energy efficiency is aimed at obtaining the same or more services with lower energy input. The article presents energy consumption in households in Poland according to Statistics Poland and then discusses the results of the survey, where respondents were asked how they improve their energy efficiency. Improving households’ energy efficiency has gained importance due to increased energy prices in recent years. The most common methods of improving energy efficiency in a household include energy-saving devices and LED lighting, thermal modernization of the building, replacement of the heating system, and changing habits. The results were presented using the documentation and comparative methods. The article uses data from Statistics Poland and surveys conducted among 1112 representatives of households in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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20 pages, 4240 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Study of a Novel 3D Façade Configuration and Its Impact on Energy Performance and Office Space Sustainability

by Loay Hannoudi, Noha Saleeb and George Dafoulas

Energies 2024, 17(17), 4420; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174420 - 3 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 981

Abstract

This research paper examines how multi-angled façade systems improve and optimise energy performance compared to a flat façade and meet sustainability targets for lower energy use to align with UN SDGs 3, 11, 12, and 13. The multi-angled façade system does not tilt up and down. Instead, it employs two different window orientations on a vertical axis (left and right). The large portion orients more to the north to allow more daylight to penetrate inside the room, and the small part is oriented more to the south to provide passive solar heating. The investigations in this research paper were carried out using version 4.8 of the IDA ICE software, and the researchers evaluated the energy consumption, the energy action through the façade, and the building’s inside operative temperature. The results of this paper present the simulation findings for primary energy consumption in different scenarios. For example, the researchers explain that one can save 6.3 kWh/(m²·year) when using a multi-angled façade system compared to a flat façade. This is in addition to improving the thermal indoor climate that results from using the façades. The conclusions of the research show that the façade with multiple angles maximises using daylight and optimises solar power, thus avoiding overheating issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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18 pages, 601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Just-in-Time Morning Ramp-Up Implementation in Warehouses Enabled by Machine Learning-Based Predictive Modelling: Estimation of Achievable Energy Saving through Simulation

by Ali Kaboli, Farzad Dadras Javan, Italo Aldo Campodonico Avendano, Behzad Najafi, Luigi Pietro Maria Colombo, Sara Perotti and Fabio Rinaldi

Energies 2024, 17(17), 4401; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174401 - 3 Sep 2024

Viewed by 944

Abstract

This study proposes a simulation-based methodology for estimating the energy saving achievable through the implementation of a just-in-time morning ramp-up procedure in a warehouse (equipped with a heat pump). In this methodology, the operation of the heating supply unit each day is initiated at a different time, aiming at achieving the desired setpoint upon (and not before) the expected arrival of the occupants. It requires the estimation of the ramp-up duration (the time it takes the heating system to bring the indoor temperature to the desired setpoint), which can be provided by machine learning-based models. To justify the corresponding required deployment investment, an accurate estimation of the resulting achievable energy saving is needed. Accordingly, physics-based energy behavior simulations are first performed. Next, various ML algorithms are employed to estimate the ramp-up duration using the simulated time-series data of indoor temperature, setpoints, and weather conditions. It is shown that the proposed pipelines can estimate the ramp-up duration with a mean absolute error of about 3 min in all indoor spaces. To assess the resulting potential energy saving, a re-simulation is conducted using ML-based ramp-up estimations for each day, resulting in an energy savings of approximately 10%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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27 pages, 5994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Building Envelope Materials on Energy Usage and Performance of Evaporative Cooling System in Residential Building

by Surakit Thongsuk, Panapong Songsukthawan, Praikanok Lertwanitrot, Santipont Ananwattanaporn, Suntiti Yoomak and Chaichan Pothisarn

Energies 2024, 17(15), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153748 - 29 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 987

Abstract

A large proportion of building energy consumption in tropical countries like Thailand primarily comes from air conditioning systems used to maintain the comfort level of building occupants. This paper aims to evaluate the performance of an alternative cooling system based on the evaporative principle in terms of thermal characteristics and energy consumption. A simulation model using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS version 16.0 and an actual experimental setup at the laboratory level were built to verify the results of the proposed cooling system. Additionally, factors that influence performance, such as components of the building envelope and the building’s orientation, are considered. This research aims to demonstrate the impact of building envelope material and building characteristics on the energy usage in air conditioning systems and to propose an energy-efficient cooling system. The results demonstrate that the proposed cooling system can reduce the temperature inside the building. However, the characteristics of the building also affect the energy performance. Thus, the proposed cooling system, in combination with an efficient envelope material, can achieve energy savings of around 35–43%. Therefore, a combination of the proposed cooling system and optimal building design can ensure comfort for building occupants while saving energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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23 pages, 4413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Heating Control and Perceived Thermal Comfort in a Norwegian Office Building

by Nicola Lolli, Evgenia Gorantonaki and John Clauß

Energies 2024, 17(15), 3719; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153719 - 28 Jul 2024

Viewed by 958

Abstract

An office building in Trondheim, Norway, was used as a case study to test the influence of Predictive Control (PC) for the optimization of energy use on the employees’ thermal comfort. A predictive control was implemented in the Building Energy Management System (BEMS) by operating on the supply temperature of the radiator circuit. A questionnaire was given to the employees to evaluate to what extent the operation of the predictive control influenced their perceived thermal comfort. Several factors known to influence employees’ satisfaction (such as office type, perceived noise level, level of control, perceived luminous environment, perceived indoor air quality, adaptation strategies, well-being) were investigated in the questionnaire. The evaluation shows that the occupants rated the perceived thermal comfort as equally good compared to the business-as-usual operation. This is an important finding toward the user acceptance of such predictive control schemes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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20 pages, 3396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interoperability Testing for Explicit Demand Response in Buildings

by Nikoleta Andreadou, Charalampos Tsotakis, Paschalis A. Gkaidatzis, Giorgios Pitsiladis, Evangelos Kotsakis, Dimosthenis Ioannidis, Antonios Papanikolaou and Dimitrios Tzovaras

Energies 2024, 17(12), 2955; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122955 - 15 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 811

Abstract

The explicit demand response (DR) is a key program for reinforcing the participation of end customers and making the most out of the potential of the smart grid. The DR is a key topic in the field of buildings to make use of the flexibility that they can offer. However, in order to guarantee the correct functionality of a DR system, it is fundamental to perform interoperability tests among the various components/actors. In this paper, we take into consideration the technological solutions suggested in the framework of the DRIMPAC project to enable the DR in buildings. We consider all actors/devices involved in order to reach the objective of executing a flexibility order by an asset. Following a structured interoperability testing methodology created by the Joint Research Centre, we perform interoperability tests regarding all critical links of the full chain of interacting actors to obtain the DR in buildings. The results show that the system functions properly and the benefits from the DR can be exploited. On the other hand, we provide a concrete example of how to apply the interoperability methodology in the field of testing the DR in buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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22 pages, 6121 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Climate Characterization and Energy Efficiency in Container Housing: Analysis and Implications for Container House Design in European Locations

by Rafal Damian Figaj, Davide Maria Laudiero and Alessandro Mauro

Energies 2024, 17(12), 2926; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122926 - 14 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1330

Abstract

The present study investigates the energy efficiency of different container house configurations across thirty European locations. By employing Heating Degree Days (HDDs) and Cooling Degree Days (CDDs), the research delves into climatic zone exploration, providing a simplified climatic classification for residential purposes and comparing it with the Köppen–Geiger model. The authors use specific hourly climatic data for each location, obtained through dynamic simulations with TRNSYS v.18 software. Initially, the CDDs are calculated by using different base temperatures (comfort temperatures that minimize energy demand) tailored to the specific conditions of each case. Then, the thermal loads of container houses are evaluated in different climatic scenarios, establishing a direct correlation between climatic conditions and the energy needs of these innovative and modular housing solutions. By comparing stacked and adjacent modular configurations in container housing, particularly in post-disaster scenarios, the study underscores the importance of adaptive design to optimize energy efficiency. The analysis conducted by the authors has allowed them to propose a climate characterization model based on HDDs, CDDs, and solar irradiance, obtaining an effective novel correlation with the Köppen–Geiger classification, especially in extreme climates. The present model emerges as a powerful tool for climate characterization in residential applications, offering a new perspective for urban planning and housing design. Furthermore, the results reveal a significant correlation between climate classification and the specific energy needs of container houses, emphasizing the direct influence of regional climatic characteristics on energy efficiency, particularly in small-sized dwellings such as container houses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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33 pages, 16459 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Elevational Earth-Sheltered Buildings with Horizontal Overhang Photovoltaic-Integrated Panels—New Energy-Plus Building Concept in the Territory of Serbia

by Aleksandar Nešović, Robert Kowalik, Milan Bojović, Agata Janaszek and Stanisław Adamczak

Energies 2024, 17(9), 2100; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092100 - 27 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1619

Abstract

The global scientific community is intensively promoting energy-plus buildings. Following the leading world trends, this paper presents a new energy-plus building concept—elevational earth-sheltered buildings with three different types of horizontal overhang photovoltaic-integrated panels: wooden support columns covered with clay tiles, steel pipes as support columns covered with sheet steel, and concrete support columns with concrete coverage. In this instance, the specific multi-numerical case study building model for the city of Kragujevac (located in central Serbia with favorable climatic conditions) was performed over 7 months (from 1 October to 30 April), taking into account the soil temperature, the effects of solar shading, the performance of the heating system—a ground source heat pump—and the characteristics of the artificial and automatic lighting control system. The simulation results show that the optimal depth of a horizontal overhang (energy-plus status) depends on the occupant’s habits, in addition to meteorological conditions. The presented methodology can be used for any other location, both in Europe and the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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14 pages, 6824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effects of Window Films on the Indoor Environment and Air-Conditioning Electricity Consumption of Buildings

by Hsing-Yun Huang, Wei-Chieh Hu, Chun-Kuei Chen, Ta-Hui Lin, Feng-Yi Lin, Chung-Chih Cheng, Tzu-Ching Su and Pei-Yu Yu

Energies 2024, 17(6), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17061388 - 13 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1205

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of window films on indoor environmental conditions and electricity consumption of air conditioning. The research focused on the performance of different window films (HAG, RG), taking into account variations from different building orientations. The findings of this research indicated that building orientation could significantly influence the duration of direct sunlight entering the interior, with the areas closer to the glass being more susceptible to the effects of outdoor temperature and solar radiation. The clear glass with heat-absorbing film (HAG) and reflective film (RG) both reduced the indoor temperature and indoor illuminance while increasing indoor comfort. The RG could accumulate less heat on the glass surface compared with the HAG. The glass temperature of the RG will be lower than the HAG. The electricity-saving ratios of the HAG were 1.4%, 1.9%, 1.4%, and 1.2%, respectively, when facing the east, south, west, and northwest orientations compared with the clear glass (OG). The electricity-saving ratios of the RG were 3%, 4.2%, 4.2%, and 10.3%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency of the Buildings: 3rd Edition)

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