A Comprehensive Assessment of Energy Efficiency of Two-Storey

Residential Building
Gokarnam Munisankar*, Dr. Amit Kumar Dhir*

*. MTech Scholar, School of Civil Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara,

Punjab, India, 144411.
*. Associate Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Lovely Professional University,
Phagwara, Punjab, India, 144411.
Email id: [email protected].
Email id: [email protected]

Abstract
In recent times, construction projects energy has increased rapidly. According to the IEA
International Energy Association electricity consumption is expected to go high by around
28% by 2030. One of the main reasons for this increase is the growing use of air conditioners,
especially during hot seasons. Many buildings having large windows with traditional glass,
which allows more heat to enter, causing indoor areas to heat up faster, especially from
March to October in humid conditions. This leads to higher energy use for cooling. To
manage this issue, research focuses on improving energy efficiency through better window
solutions.

This modelling examines the use of DGU Double Glass Unit in a two-storey building
using Design Builder Energy Plus 8.9 version. Results show that DGU’s can optimise the
indoor area heating by 28.04% compared to Traditional Glass. Using DGU’s is an effective
way to reduction of electricity consumption and improve energy efficiency in residential
buildings and this will be help full for sustainable development goals.

Introduction:

The building sector is one of the largest-consuming industries globally, with space
heating, cooling and lighting accounting for major portion of this usage (Sadari et al., 2025).
In both developed and developing regions, rising energy demands have led to increased
operational costs and environmental degradation, primarily due to carbon emissions (Firoozi
et al., 2025). This rising demand also leads to more environmental problems like carbon
emissions and air pollution (Esertine & Siddhartha, 2020) . As per International Energy
Agency (IEA) the residential buildings are consumed total electrical energy 24.6% by 2023.
With rapid growth of cities, energy demand in buildings is increasing every year.

One simple and cost-effective way to save energy is to use passive design methods. This
means designing buildings in a way that they stay cool naturally without depending too much
on air conditioning. Using good building orientation, natural ventilation and proper insulation
can reduce the need for extra cooling. (Al-Mashhadani & Eryldz, 2025) Many countries are
now focusing on making buildings that use less energy because electricity demand is
increasing and natural resources are reducing. Especially in hot and dry regions, buildings
consume more energy to keep people comfortable inside. Studies shows that by changing the
way buildings are designed and built, it is possible to reduce this energy use.
(Zhigulina A.Yu. et al., 2023)

To reduce energy usage in buildings, researches are focusing on design improvements

which can significantly cut down energy loss (Amani, 2025). In residential buildings there
are many tools we choose the windows glazing replacement. Normally most of the people are
moving the large type of windows to connect the outside world. For this reason, most the
window glazing is using traditional glazing or Single Clear glazing instead of these types of
glazing choose the Double Glass Unit (DGU) this glazing is far better than the traditional
glazing. Additionally, smart control systems that adjust temperature settings based on outdoor
conditions and occupancy levels offer promising results in reducing energy use (Safdari et al.,
2025).

In humid climatic conditions especially in summer conditions the traditional glazing

allows the outer area temperature into inside the room area to control the temperature air
conditioner are using more time to cool the room temperature and consumption of electricity
is also more it leads to the discomfort the people. While using the DGU glazing it’s optimise
entering heat into the inside room area and also inside area cooling temperature also doesn’t
allows the outer area like this can save the electricity and reduce the consumption of
electricity energy also in the residential buildings.

Among many simulation tools, Design Builders is commonly used it is simple to use
and gives accurate results. Design Builder uses the energy plus engine, which can calculate
energy use by taking into account building shape, material weather, and how people use the
building. Some studies have used Design Builder to test energy saving strategies in office
buildings, sports halls, and residential houses. (Esertine & Siddhartha, 2020) They found that
by improving insulation, using better windows, and allowing fresh air through natural
ventilation, buildings could reduce energy use by a large amount. (Nasim et al., 2021) Many
researchers have used simulation tools to find better options for saving energy by changing
windows, wall, roofs, or cooling systems. It also helps in testing different designs and
materials without building anything physically. (Esertine & Siddhartha, 2020)

This paper focus on examining the simulation model of the energy performance of a
building suing Design Builder software. It will check different strategies to lower energy use
and analyse the simulation model compared the results with the traditional glazing bow much
far better than the DGU is saves the electrical energy and provide ideas to make the building
more energy efficient while keeping good comfort for the people.

Literature Review:

With the progression of climatic change, buildings are facing increasing cooling loads,
especially in regions experiencing heatwaves and temperature extremes. Observed that
annual cooling energy needs may rise by more than 50% by 2050, making energy efficient
retrofits and resilient cooling systems essential (Tootkaboni et al., 2025).

However, developing countries face challenges in adopting these strategies due to financial
constraints, limited awareness, and lack of digital infrastructure. A study focused on India
found that only a small percentage of construction firms were actively implementing digital
technologies, even though the benefits in terms of productivity and sustainability were
evident (Dauda et al., 2025).

Methodology:

This study adopts a mixed-method approach energy modelling, and simulation-based

validation. The goal is to analyse the energy consumption of residential buildings and assess
the impact od energy saving measures under real-world and simulated conditions.

A 3D model of the residential building was created using Design Builders which runs
simulations based on the Energy Plus engine 8.9 version. Construction details such as wall
materials, glazing type, roof properties, and HVAC systems were input according to actual
specifications. (Bharath et al. 2021)
Initial simulations were conducted to estimate the building’s baseline energy consumption.
This included both heating and cooling loads. The baseline model was calibrated using actual
monthly electricity bill and reduce simulation errors. Fathalian et al.2018

Climatic and Weather Data Selection:

Weather conditions for a mild and humid region was taken in Amritsar, India. This step
helped improve the accuracy of simulation outputs, as outdated weather data often
underestimates heating or cooling needs. (Erba et al., 2017)

Building Modelling in Design Builders:

A two-storey building with floor area of 100m 2 (1076.39 Sft). The structure includes typical
glazing based in regional construction standards in humid and moderate climates (Amani,
2025). The building design was modelled using Design Builders, which works with Energy
Plus 8.9 version as its core engine. The model included all thermal details, such as wall
thickness, window types, insulation layers, orientation and usage schedules. For more
realistic results, real occupancy schedules and lighting loads were added based on local
building usage data.

The model was divided into thermal zones to analyse performance room by room, especially
for spaces with different sun exposure or occupancy patterns. External shading glazing and
natural ventilation options were also included based on recommendations from past studies.
(Alhashmi et al., 2021; Carvalho et al., 2021)

Energy saving strategies were simulated:

 Replacing of (ESM) Energy Saving Modules ESM1 with ESM 2

Materials and Envelope Variation:

Multiple glazing’s were tested by changing building envelope features like:

 Single Clear glazing

 Double Low-E glazing,
 Double glazing without Absorption
 Double glazing with Reflective

In this study we are using the above all types of glazing materials U-value and Window to
Wall Ratio (WWR) and analyse the results.
Energy and Comfort Simulation:

The building simulated for both heating and cooling seasons using Design Builder.
Simulations focused on evaluating:

 Total energy consumption (KWh)

 Peak heating and cooling loads
 Thermal comfort during summer season

No mechanical
cooling was
taken in this case
study; only passive
systems like
shading and
ventilation
were used. Later,
variations were simulated with mechanical cooling to access energy demand changes.

Fig: 2
 Fig: 1 Simulated Building Plan Layout

In the above Fig: 1 shows the simulated plan layout in Design Builders. This residential
Building located in Amritsar, India. The building consisting two floors 100m 2 area for each
floor.

Energy Saving Types of U-value (DB) Window-to- SHGC

Modules Glazing (W/m2 -k) Wall Ratio
(ESM’s) (WWR) %
ESM 1 Single Clear 6.12 30 0.810
6mm
ESM 2 Double Low-E 1.49 30 0.564
(e2 = .1) Clear
6mm/13mm
Argon Gas
 ESM 3 Double Grey 3.1 30 0.468
6mm/6mm, Air
ESM 4 Double Clear 2.70 30 0.697
6mm/13mm,
Air
ESM 5 Double Ref-A-L 2.75 30 0.135
clear 6mm/6mm
Air

Table 1: U-vales and Window-to-Wall Ratio

Table1, shows the difference types of glazing tested in the simulation model along with their
U-values, WWR and SHGC. All these values were taken directly from the software. How
much of U-value is low that much of heat loss was there.

Results and Discussions:

Energy Saving Solar Gains Zone Sensible

Modules Exterior Cooling (KWh)
(ESM’s) Windows
(KWh)
ESM 1 3119.82 4311.63
ESM 2 5642.11 10863.42
ESM 3 3966.27 10877.50
ESM 4 7354.77 12447.68
ESM 5 641.46 8061.57
Table: 2 ESM’s Run period Values

In the above Table 2 shows that run period of all ESM’s values of total solar gains exterior
windows and zone sensible cooling. These values are generated using simulation model in
Design Builders software.
 ESM 1
ESM 2
Outside Dry Bulb Temperature 26.49
Radiant Temperature 26.79 27.5
Air Temperature 26.19 27.34
25.75 26.25 26.75 27.3
Air Radi- Out-
Tem- ant side 27.1
pera- Tem- Dry
ture pera- Bulb 26.92
ture Tem- 26.9
pera-
ture
26.7
R 26.19 26.79 26.49 26.51
e 26.5
a
di
n 26.3
g
s 26.1
©

Readings ©
27.3
27.4
27.2 26.9
27
26.8 26.49
26.6
26.4
26.2
26
e e e
ur ur ur
rat rat rat
pe pe pe
m em m
r Te tT Te
Ai an lb
di y Bu
Ra Dr
e
s id
O ut

Fig: 2 Description of ESM 1 Fig: 3 Description of ESM 2

Fig: 4 Description of ESM 3 Fig: 5 Description of ESM 4

 Fig: 6 Description of ESM 5

The figures above all show the ESM values recorded from March 1st to October 31st. During
this period, data was collected for indoor air temperature, radiant temperature and outside dry
bulb temperature. These values are generated using simulation model in Design Builders
software.