Strategies for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings: An Integrated Framework Approach

Sustainable design and nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) are essential for managing energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions in the building sector while maintaining occupant comfort. This study focuses on developing an advanced modeling framework for optimizing energy efficiency in residential buildings, integrating computational design, building performance simulation, and multi-objective optimization (MOO). Applied to a typical archetype in Cyprus, the framework evaluates diverse energy-efficient strategies, including innovative measures such as thermochromic glazing, natural ventilation, automated dimming of artificial lighting, and rule-based control electrochromic glazing systems, among other conventional energy efficiency measures (EEMs). MOO considers energy needs and investment costs. Results demonstrate significant energy savings potential, with optimal combinations of EEMs achieving a 77% reduction in cooling demand and 73% in heating demand compared to the baseline. This tool proves valuable for decision-making in both new construction and retrofitting, identifying cost-effective pathways towards NZEBs.