The present study focuses on the effect of shading devices on the indoor temperature of high-rise residential buildings in the hot–humid climate of Malaysia. Several methods can be employed to improve indoor thermal environment, including using a reflective glazing system, using light colors for external surfaces, and using the appropriate thermal properties of external walls and roofs. However, before using any of these methods, it is important to have an optimum shading device to reduce the solar radiation absorption that leads to an overheated indoor environment and an increase in cooling energy loads. Therefore, the main objective of the current paper is to find the extent of a building's solar heat gain and, consequently, the indoor air temperature that is influenced by the external shading devices. A computerized simulation tool (IES) is used to carry out the investigation, taking Penang as the empirical background of the hot–humid climate. The results indicate that egg-crate shading has a significant impact on decreasing discomfort hours compared with other shading types

The construction sector is responsible for the 40% of consumed resources, 40% of CO₂ emissions, and approximately 40% of construction and demolition waste. For the assessment of the building, there exists a standardized method, life cycle assessment (LCA), however, the process requires time, cost, and most importantly expertise. In this paper, a method is proposed and analyzed for the life cycle assessment of the building for the embodied carbon in the three stages, construction, operation, and demolition. Moreover, the result of the analysis is considered as the base result, and de-carbonization strategies identified through literature study for the three stages of construction, operation, and demolition are assessed with the same method to know how much each strategy will be effective in minimizing the embodied carbon. For the base case, a high-rise residential building in an urban region of India is analyzed, based on existing conditions through the building information modeling (BIM) method. The carbon emission of the selected building comes out to be 414 kg CO₂e/m²/year, and assessing different decarbonization strategies, considering the first analysis as the baseline, it can be minimized to 135 kg CO₂e/m²/year.

Building orientation is a significant design consideration, mainly with regard to solar radiation and wind. In predominantly hot humid regions like Malaysia which receives sunlight all year around, buildings should be oriented to minimize solar gain and maximize natural ventilation. This paper describes an investigation into the effect of building orientation in view of solar radiation absorptance of exterior wall, varied area ratio of glazed window to wall and the effect of natural ventilation on the thermal performance for residential building in tropical region. The FAJAR BAKTI building (postgraduate student residential building) which is oriented in the east west directions, and a located in USM Campus, Penang. The selected case study are two rooms, the first one is facing east direction while the other faced west. The differences in in/out door air temperature and air velocity of both rooms have been measured from the field directly using the comprehensive datalogger BABUC/M, this data have been analyzed and investigated. The results shows that east windows have more obvious effect on increasing indoor air temperature than west windows, that is applicable for ventilated or unventilated rooms.

This study aims to assess passive design features through the extensive modifications of building envelopes to affect the energy efficiency of residential buildings in hot arid climates. In support of the aim of this research, the annual electric energy bill of a typical residential building in Sharurah was collected and analyzed. Then, the DesignBuilder simulation program was used to investigate how different modifications of building envelopes could affect the energy consumption of the residential buildings under common scenarios. Varied thermal insulation, different types of glass, shading devices, and green roof were investigated with this perspective. The simulation results show that thermal insulation can significantly reduce annual energy consumption by as high as 23.6%, followed by green roofs. In contrast, shading devices and glazing system types were fewer superiors. The results also indicate that the effective combination of certain strategies can reduce total energy consumption by 35.4% relative to the base case (BC) of this research.

Amid escalating energy demands and growing environmental concerns, educational institutions are transforming into crucibles for enduring innovation. This comprehensive review summarizes the complex relationship between Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Systems (EERES) within the sphere of educational institutions. By instituting Energy Efficiency initiatives, organizations can curtail energy consumption, resulting in substantial cost savings and a diminished carbon footprint. Moreover, the integration of renewable energy technologies empowers the localized generation of electricity, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy source. Noteworthy in this study is the novel linkage of energy usage indicators to the comfort levels experienced in university settings during both summer and winter. An exhaustive examination of consumption indicators, rooted in the diverse activities on college campuses, further enriches the investigation. Beyond technical intricacies, this study scrutinizes the economic viability, environmental advantages, and educational significance of these integrated systems. Embracing EERES not only aligns with the commitment of educational institutions to environmental stewardship but also establishes a paradigm for broader communities. These institutions aspire to exemplify sustainable practices, influencing larger societal behavior positively. Various factors, including the institution’s type, energy source, facility nature, building construction, internal activities, weather conditions, and user behavior, wield substantial influence over energy utilization. This study offers a nuanced exploration, shedding light not only on the technical dimensions but also on the broader economic, environmental, and educational implications of adopting EERES.