An integrated performance based solution approach for commercial buildings energy modeling and energy savings: Case study of a retail building in Bangladesh

Improvement in Energy Efficiency is one of the most important approaches of avoiding climate change. Building fabric, particularly insulation and glazing have substantial effect on energy efficiency of buildings. Energy efficient and cost effective building fabrics in structures of commercial buildings can therefore significantly contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and mitigation of climate change. To determine energy efficient, cost effective, sustainable and optimum building fabric options, building elements such as insulation and glazing were investigated in this study. The research question investigated in the study is, how building elements can be optimized using an integrated performance based approach in tropical or sub-tropical climate in Bangladesh. A case study was conducted on a single storey commercial retail building using 3D modeling in DesignBuilder software. The study demonstrated that the optimized, cost effective, energy efficient and sustainable solutions depend on the right...