Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate

The construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental issues, including excessive energy use and carbon emissions. Green building practices have emerged as a key strategy to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. This study evaluates the impact of selected green building f...

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Main Authors: Ahamed Zacki, Shakila Pathirana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Sustainable Futures
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006331
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author Ahamed Zacki
Shakila Pathirana
author_facet Ahamed Zacki
Shakila Pathirana
author_sort Ahamed Zacki
collection DOAJ
description The construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental issues, including excessive energy use and carbon emissions. Green building practices have emerged as a key strategy to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. This study evaluates the impact of selected green building features on the energy performance of a university laboratory building located in Sri Lanka. Using DesignBuilder simulation software, the energy-saving potential of features such as LED lighting, double-glazed glass, sunshades, green roofs, and green walls was assessed. Financial feasibility was evaluated using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). Results show that LED lighting achieved the highest energy savings (6.04%) and the most favorable BCR (51.08), followed by double-glazed glass (3.88% savings, BCR = 16.79) and sunshades (3.23% savings, BCR = 44.90). While green roofs and walls provided moderate energy benefits, they offered substantial environmental advantages such as urban heat island mitigation. The study recommends prioritizing cost-effective measures like LED lighting and double glazing in university retrofits, and it highlights the need for future research on integrating multiple green features and expanding simulations to varied climatic zones.
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spelling doaj-art-c8e98a4e787e4e71a5c44d4fc31df6232025-08-20T03:07:17ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-12-011010106910.1016/j.sftr.2025.101069Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climateAhamed Zacki0Shakila Pathirana1Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri LankaCorresponding author.; Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri LankaThe construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental issues, including excessive energy use and carbon emissions. Green building practices have emerged as a key strategy to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. This study evaluates the impact of selected green building features on the energy performance of a university laboratory building located in Sri Lanka. Using DesignBuilder simulation software, the energy-saving potential of features such as LED lighting, double-glazed glass, sunshades, green roofs, and green walls was assessed. Financial feasibility was evaluated using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). Results show that LED lighting achieved the highest energy savings (6.04%) and the most favorable BCR (51.08), followed by double-glazed glass (3.88% savings, BCR = 16.79) and sunshades (3.23% savings, BCR = 44.90). While green roofs and walls provided moderate energy benefits, they offered substantial environmental advantages such as urban heat island mitigation. The study recommends prioritizing cost-effective measures like LED lighting and double glazing in university retrofits, and it highlights the need for future research on integrating multiple green features and expanding simulations to varied climatic zones.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006331Building energyEnergy efficiencyLightingGreen features
spellingShingle Ahamed Zacki
Shakila Pathirana
Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
Sustainable Futures
Building energy
Energy efficiency
Lighting
Green features
title Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
title_full Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
title_fullStr Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
title_full_unstemmed Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
title_short Effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
title_sort effect of green building features on energy efficiency of university buildings in tropical climate
topic Building energy
Energy efficiency
Lighting
Green features
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006331
work_keys_str_mv AT ahamedzacki effectofgreenbuildingfeaturesonenergyefficiencyofuniversitybuildingsintropicalclimate
AT shakilapathirana effectofgreenbuildingfeaturesonenergyefficiencyofuniversitybuildingsintropicalclimate