Energy analysis of an industrial office building in a tropical humid climate

Abstract

Evaluating energy efficiency is an increasingly important consideration in building design and operation, particularly in the context of rising electricity costs and the global demand for sustainable development. This study presents the results of an energy simulation for an office building located within an industrial facility in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, under a humid tropical climate. The building employs conventional double glazing with a thickness of 24 mm, a thermal transmittance U = 2,7 W/m².K, a solar heat gain coefficient SHGC = 83 %, and a visible light transmittance VLT = 82 %. Energy performance simulations were conducted using DesignBuilder software, with three variables adjusted: building orientation, window-to-wall ratio, and air-conditioning setpoint temperature. The simulation results indicate that energy consumption may vary by over 11% across different scenarios. Both building orientation and window-to-wall ratio significantly influence cooling loads and green building scores as assessed by the LOTUS rating system. The study also highlights that while conventional glazing is widely used, it does not sufficiently meet energy-saving requirements. Accordingly, the paper offers practical recommendations for improving building design and selecting more suitable construction materials.