The effects of rooflights on energy performance of a commercial retail building in a sub-Tropical and a temperate climate

This research aims to develop an energy-efficient solution by predicting the nature of energy use for a retail building with rooflights in a sub-tropical and a temperate climate of Australia. The research highlighted in the study includes (a) the maximum amount of area dedicated to rooflights that can make a retail building energy efficient; and (b) the effects on other building elements on the increased use of rooflights. The study demonstrates that allocating a maximum 20% of a conditioned space to rooflights can be applicable for a retail building in terms of creating an energy-efficient solution. That is, improvement of annual energy saving (kWh/yr). To achieve this, building elements such as glazing, insulation and colour need to be changed.