Using a multi-criteria analysis to select design alternatives aiming energy efficiency and IEQ

Abstract

To achieve an adequate quality of buildings it is necessary to consider a set of aspects that are interconnected and influence each other, not always in a favourable way. The selection of the most suitable construction solution for the building elements must consider its contribution for the thermal comfort, the Indoor Air Quality, the daylight conditions inside the buildings, its energy efficiency and the acoustic behaviour. In this work the use of a multi-criteria decision analysis method, to balance all these aspects on the design phase, in order to assist the designer in the selection of design alternatives, construction solutions and materials regarding the different aspects that affect the Indoor Environmental Quality and the energy performance of the buildings is presented. The selection of the most suitable design alternative will increase the buildings thermal behaviour and also its energy performance. The proposed multi-criteria method allows buildings to be rated according to their energy use and comfort conditions, or by using a set of parameters involving environmental factors. Throughout the multi-criteria analysis performed, it was possible to verify that the overall comfort exigencies are not restrictive, because there are a large number of constructive solutions that, when adequately used, will assure all the needs, being only necessary to integrate the exigencies of all the different requirements.