Improving energy efficiency in buildings: Review and compiling

Abstract Buildings sector is the second energy consuming sector worldwide with a share of 40% of final energy consumption. It is responsible for almost a third of greenhouse gases emissions. Therefore, it is essential to regulate the performance requirements based on definition of the acceptable limits specifications of the building envelope depending on the materials type, climate zone and other parameters. In fact, improving the energy in buildings is an ongoing research especially with necessity of developing new low energy materials within the suitably adapted techniques and implementations. Upon several basis set, this paper highlights the adopted solutions by several researchers consisting on integrating local passive and bioclimatic approaches to reap relevant results in terms of energy savings and indoor comfort. In the local context, relying on local materials like limestone rocks and natural fibers such as hemp insulation led to significant reductions in the thermal loads of the building.