Evaluation of buildings emissions based on energy consumption by using Taguchi method

Abstract

In this study, the electrical energy consumption of an apartment building was calculated depending on different design parameters. The electrical energy consumption was found according to the population information of each of four cities selected to represent different climatic regions. The calculations took into account, firstly, the application of different insulation materials; secondly, the state of the building: discrete, surrounded by trees or adjacent to another building; and, thirdly, different glazing types. Using the Taguchi method, experimental designs were conducted for each representative city. Then, the most suitable building design parameters were determined for each city according to signal-to-noise ratios. In the study, pollutant emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, released to the atmosphere were investigated. It was observed that there was a 50% reduction in energy consumption and emissions based on the most suitable building design parameter determined by the Taguchi method.