Effects of building envelope parameters on energy performance of high-rise commercial buildings

Sustainable design is achievable based on the social, economic, and environment pillars that are interrelated with the major energy consumptions accruing worldwide. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries that consume massive energy to operate buildings due to the country's fast economic development and extremely hot weather. The researcher analyzed building envelope variables in an existing building in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and measured their effect on energy consumption based on ASHRAE 90.1-2019 and LEED guidelines. The researcher used REVIT for modeling and HAP for simulation as tools to conduct data. The researcher concluded that by altering wall thermal resistance, window thermal transmittance, solar heat gain coefficient, window visible transmittance, air infiltration/leakage, wall-to-window ratio, building orientation, and sun shading devices, the building envelope will save cumulatively 11.71% of energy consumption. The design guidelines presented in this research are recommended to enhance the building's energy performance and preserve nonrenewable energy