Methodological evaluation of Integrated Façade Systems: Sensitivity analysis of net-energy in a base-case model

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to test the robustness of energy performance of highly to fully glazed office buildings in hot and arid climates using the net energy figures.,The paper uses a methodology to develop a base-case model for building energy simulation (BES) of highly to fully glazed office buildings followed by sensitivity analysis (linear regression model) to test the robustness of the results.,Net energy is best achieved on south, followed by southeast, and southwest facadesof the bulding; the increase in d/l ratio has a diverse effect, while there is a significant influence of glazing systems on the resultant net energy figures.,The lack of experimental data for Integrated Facade System (IFS) with its various applications in the existing body of knowledge forms the main limitation of this research.,Findings can be of practical use to practitioners and academics to assist them as a decision tool when working on the energy performance of IFS.,The research contributes to energy consumption reduction in office building stock at peak times, lowering the consequent energy shortage and blackouts for non-office buildings with clear positive social impacts.,Adopting a systemic approach in BES studies will help further the understanding on the impact of some phenomena and justify how the contributory parameters would behave when combined effects are under investigations.