An Approach for Energy Efficiency Using Vegetated Envelope in Semi-Arid Mediterranean Climate with Special Reference to Existing Residential Buildings

Abstract

In Jordan, residential buildings consume up to 48% of electrical energy. Vegetated systems are passive techniques that improve energy performance. This study introduce an approach for energy efficiency using vegetated roof, living walls and vegetated envelope in the semi-arid Mediterranean climate of Amman by considering a typical apartment in a Jordanian residential building. The annual energy consumption has been determined by the tool of DesignBuilder software. The effect of soil thickness, air gap and LAI were determined for the performance of vegetated envelope in regards to their orientations. The results show that installing vegetated envelope saves annual energy by 26.8% when installed to traditional building, and by 33.2% when installed to building complying with Jordanian Code. The heist amount of CO₂ reduction was when applying the techniques of Standard Retrofiring, with saving of 48.2%.