ANN/BIM-based model for predicting the energy cost of residential buildings in Saudi Arabia

This paper introduces a novel conceptual system to predict the energy cost of residential buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The paper briefly describes the main models of the developed system to maintain continuity and focuses on the energy cost prediction model. The developed system aims to assist architects in designing residential buildings to minimise energy costs under Saudi Arabian environmental conditions. The system was built based on data collected from house owners in six cities in the eastern province of KSA. The initial results of validating the model demonstrate the system's capabilities in assisting architects in the selection of the optimum architectural design.