SIMULATING WINDOW DESIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO ANALYZE ENERGY SAVINGS IN AN ARID REGION

According to the climate change future projections, the Middle East and North Africa regions could experience a temperature increase of 2.5 degrees C by the end of the century. The climate in the Middle East is characterized by hot-arid regions with high temperatures. Therefore, climate-controlled buildings are essential for modern societies to function in these high temperatures. In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Electricity Company has stated that the residential sector alone accounts for 50% of the electricity consumption in the Kingdom. A rising global temperature and population growth will heighten the need for building cooling, contributing to increased CO2 emissions. Therefore, this study analyzes and simulates innovative window applications to reduce heat gain in traditional buildings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing OpenStudio software, a representative building is modeled, and various window types are assessed for energy savings. The study aims to decrease residential energy consumption substantially, inform future building codes, and positively affect the environment, economy, and society.