Energy Simulation-Based Assessment of Traditional and Modern Wall Materials for Thermal Performance: A Case Study of a Traditional House in Jordan

In this study, the energy performance of traditional, modern, and insulated wall assemblies in a heritage residential building in Al Salt city, Jordan, is evaluated using the simulation software DesignBuilder version 7.0.2.004. The case study compares the thermal behavior of traditional thick limestone walls, modern reinforced concrete and block-based walls, and contemporary insulated systems under local climatic conditions. The results show that traditional stone walls exhibit limited energy efficiency and require insulation to meet contemporary standards. However, they perform better than modern concrete walls based on their thermal mass. While concrete walls with inadequate insulation exhibit the poorest performance and are associated with significantly higher energy demand and CO2 emissions, insulated wall systems that combine stone with insulation layers demonstrate the best thermal performance and achieve substantial reductions in energy use and environmental impact. These findings emphasize the feasibility of upgrading heritage buildings through the integration of modern insulated wall assemblies, which can lead to considerable energy savings and a lowered carbon footprint while simultaneously keeping the architectural identity and cultural value.