In this paper, a thermal performance assessment of traditional building constructions and configurations in various Moroccan climates is carried out. This research focuses on enhancing conventional energy efficiency of buildings by investigating the thermal behavior of single clay walls, double clay walls, simple brick walls, and double brick walls based on long-term meteorological data using TRNSYS software. The roof pitch, thermal comfort and discomfort index, and building energy consumption are considered while selecting buildings for each temperature zone. It is noticed that the double brick construction is more efficient in all climatic zones of Morocco. Thus, this material reduces the yearly energy requirement of building by 22% to 25% compared to the usual brick building. On the coldest winter days, a 30° south-facing roof raises the internal temperature by 2.5 °C compared to a horizontal roof. Temperature increases could reduce the air conditioning energy usage by 7% to 32% and overcooling hours by 12% to 21% in cities above 30° N. In addition, the findings are interesting enough to inspire individuals to implement the recommended construction design and study energy efficiency and thermal comfort in Moroccan buildings. Consequently, reducing energy consumption, mitigating climate change, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

The aim of this research is to showcase the imperative of integrating passive cooling and heating techniques within buildings to effectively decrease energy consumption. To accomplish this objective, numerical simulations were conducted on a representative double-walled brick building in two cold desert climates using TRNSYS software. The simulations were performed to compare and evaluate the thermal and energy performance of two distinct passive techniques, one for cooling the reflective roof and the other for heating the Trombe wall. The findings demonstrate that employing a reflective roof building with an air gap significantly reduces indoor temperatures by 3°C during the hottest weekdays of summer, as compared to the reference building, across the two studied Moroccan climates. Moreover, this approach decreases the demand for cooling energy by an impressive 69%-78%. Similarly, the passive heating technique proves highly effective during winter, reducing energy requirements by 26%-30% while increasing indoor temperatures by over 2.9°C. Combining both techniques proves to be the most efficient solution, resulting in a 37.87% reduction in total annual energy consumption for cooling and heating in Er-Rachidia and a 30% reduction in Ifran. These results strongly support the suggestion that Moroccan thermal regulations should incentivize the adoption of passive cooling and heating systems, particularly in cold desert climates.