Optimization method for building envelope design to minimize carbon emissions of building operational energy consumption using orthogonal experimental design (OED)

Climate change has drawn the attention of many researchers and practitioners to focus on the methods to address the challenges in achieving low-carbon buildings and cities and in future developments. Nevertheless, few studies have explored the application of orthogonal experimental design (OED) method to optimize building design for the lowest carbon emissions of building operational energy consumption. This paper aims at developing a new optimization method to building envelope design for the lowest carbon emissions of building operational energy consumption using OED. Firstly, according to the basic principles of the building heat transfer, the method of building’s energy consumption calculation is analyzed, which includes the simplified algorithm based on steady-state heat transfer theory and the dynamic simulation based on the unsteady heat transfer theory. The classification of the building energy consumption influencing factors are then investigated and discussed. Furthermore, based on the basic concept and principle of OED, a case study from the perspective of OED has been conducted, which involves a public building in Nantong, Jiangsu province. Six influence factors of building envelope to building operational energy consumption are selected as follows: exterior wall type, window frame type, glass type, roof type, floor type, and shading type. Selection of optimal case is then determined by the index that is based on the year-round accumulative total load. In the end, Tianzheng Building Energy Consumption Software is used to calculate the optimal case operational energy consumption. The research would provide a new optimization method for building envelope design to the lowest carbon emissions of building operational energy consumption.

► The classification of the building operational energy consumption is investigated.
► TBEC Software is used to calculate the energy consumption.
► Six influential factors of building envelope and five impact levels are selected.
► Orthogonal experimental design is used to optimize building envelope design.