The influence of design decisions on energy consumption and thermal performance: the case of UFRN campus, Brazil

This paper presents simulation results of three hypothetic models, which aims to represent different design decisions concerning administrative buildings at UFRN Campus, Brazil. Simulations were made with the DesignBuilder software. The analysis is intended to emphasize the influence of envelope architectural decisions on air conditioning energy consumption and the improvement of buildings thermal performance. The modelling process was supported by a field survey on 13 buildings at the Campus and by energy monitoring procedures. In general, the results of all three models were complementary to each other. The results indicates a major influence of thermal gains caused by the incidence of solar radiation.