The Effect of Green Roofs-Types on the Design of Energy-Efficient Buildings in Gaza Strip: A Co-simulation Parametric Study.

Abstract

The building’s roof, which has low thermal conductivity, is a significant contributor to meet the requirements of energy-efficient buildings in various climatic conditions. In a bid to mitigate energy consumption and achieve thermal comfort, several countermeasures have been suggested. Green and thermally insulated roofs are presented in this paper. Experimental research and numerical simulation analysis applied to a school building in Gaza Strip. This research is the first of its kind in this geographical area. The experiment using design builder 6.1.0.006 software is conducted to compare four types of roofs (a traditional roof, a traditional roof with thermal insulation, a green roof, and a green roof with thermal insulation) during all seasons of the year (hot-humid summer, cool winter, and equinoxes). The research aimed to determine which of the roofs would give more thermal comfort. Essential parameters of green roofs, such as leaf area index (LAI) and soil depth, are also set at different values to determine their effects. It is found that the thermal performance of green roof with thermal insulation is the best throughout the year, as it offers the best PMV values. In addition, higher LAI is the key to maximize energy savings in hot humid season but it increases energy consumption in cold seasons, and higher soil depth is the solution to reduce energy consumption in the cold season, but it has a negative effect in hot and warm seasons.