Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of energy consumption pattern in Saudi Arabia’s residential buildings with specific reference to Qassim region

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Energy Efficiency Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Consumption patterns of residential building in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with specific reference to Qassim region are analysed to establish energy consumption indicators including consumption per dwelling, per capita and per unit area. The average shares of lighting, domestic appliances, water heaters and air conditioning out of total yearly consumption are determined to be 8.5%, 14.7%, 10.3% and 66.5%, respectively. Parametric analysis shows that residential energy consumption is insignificantly influenced by the type of building except that villas have somewhat higher consumption during the hot summer season. However, residential energy consumption is considerably affected by occupant behaviour, meteorological conditions, as well as the technical conditions of both building envelopes and air conditions setting temperature point. Energy efficiency measures are also discussed, and opportunities for energy saving are proposed. Potential energy savings up to 43% in air conditioning cooling load could be achieved by applying the KSA standard of envelope insulation. Total residential consumption savings of 3% could also be achieved by using efficient lighting and savings of 11.1% by adjusting the temperature setting point of air conditioners to 24 °C instead of 22 °C.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbood, A. W., Al-Obaidi, K. M., Awang, H., & Abdul Rahman, A. (2015). Achieving energy efficiency through industrialized building system for residential buildings in Iraq. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 4(1), 78–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agha-Hossein, M. M., Tetlow, R. M., Hadi, M., El-Jouzi, S., Elmualim, A. A., Ellis, J., & Williams, M. (2015). Providing persuasive feedback through interactive posters to motivate energy-saving behaviors. Intelligent Buildings International, 7(1), 16–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2014.960357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, E. H. (2002). Cost analysis and thickness optimization of thermal insulation materials used in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia, 6th Saudi Engineering Conference, KFUPM, Dhahran, December 2002, V1, 21–32.

  • Ahmad, A. (2004). Energy simulation for a typical house built with different types of masonry building materials. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 29(2 B), 113–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alaidroos, A., & Krarti, M. (2015). Optimal design of residential building envelope systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Energy and Buildings, 86, 104–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldossary, N. A., Rezgui, Y., & Kwan, A. (2014). Domestic energy consumption patterns in a hot and arid climate: A multiple-case study analysis. Renewable Energy, 62, 369–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldossary, N. A., Rezgui, Y., & Kwan, A. (2017). Establishing domestic low energy consumption reference levels for Saudi Arabia and the Wider Middle Eastern Region. Sustainable Cities and Society, 28, 265–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2016.09.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mumin, A., Khattab, O., & Sridhar, G. (2003). Occupants’ behavior and activity patterns influencing the energy consumption in the Kuwaiti residences. Energy and Buildings, 35, 549–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alrashed, F., & Asif, M. (2014). Trends in residential energy consumption in Saudi Arabia with particular reference to the Eastern Europe. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, 2(4), 376–387. https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.2014.02.0030.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alrashed, F., & Asif, M. (2015). Analysis of critical climate related factors for the application of zero-energy homes in Saudi Arabia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 41, 1395–1403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Tamimi, N. (2017). A state-of-the-art review of the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings in Saudi Arabia. Energy Efficiency, 10, 1129–1141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-017-9507-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ameer, B., & Krarti, M. (2016). Impact of subsidization on high energy performance designs for Kuwaiti residential buildings. Energy and Buildings, 116, 249–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.01.018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ang, B. W. (2006). Monitoring changes in economy-wide energy efficiency: From energy–GDP ratio to composite efficiency index. Energy Policy, 34, 574–582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2005.11.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aste, N., & Del Pero, C. (2013). Energy retrofit of commercial buildings: Case study and applied methodology. Energy Efficiency, 6, 407–423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-012-9168-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodalal, A., Mashite, S., Aladouli, O., & Ihdash, A. (2017). Calculation of annual heating and cooling energy requirements for residential building in different climate zones in Libya. Innovative Energy & Research, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.4172/2576-1463.1000161.

  • Buchanan, K., Russom, R., & Anderson, B. (2015). The question of energy reduction: The problem(s) with feedback. Energy Policy, 77, 89–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.12.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S., Li, N., Guan, J., Xie, Y., Sun, F., & Ni, J. (2008). A statistical method to investigate national energy consumption in the residential building sector of China. Energy and Buildings, 40, 654–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. J., Wang, X., & Steemersa, K. (2013). A statistical analysis of a residential energy consumption survey study in Hangzhou. Energy and Buildings, 66, 193–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daouas, N. (2011). A study on optimum insulation thickness in walls and energy savings in Tunisian buildings based on analytical calculation of cooling and heating transmission loads. J Applied Energy, 88, 156–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duscha, M., & Dünnhoff, E. (2007). Effiziente Beratungsbausteine zur Minderung des Stromverbrauchs in privaten Haushalten. Endbericht Efficient building blocks for energy counseling aimed at reducing electricity consumption in private households. Heidelberg: Study by the ifeu (Institut für Energie-und Umweltforschung).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, C. (2008). Feedback on household electricity consumption: A tool for saving energy? Energy Efficiency, 1(1), 79–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-008-9009-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Household Energy Survey. (2017). General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), KSA, https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/household_energy_survey_2017en.pdf. Accessed 20 Sept 2018.

  • Housing Statistics in the European Union. (2010). The Hague: Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Edited by Kees Dol and Marietta Haffner OTB Research Institute for the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, September 2010, https://www.bmwfw.gv.at/Wirtschaftspolitik/Wohnungspolitik/Documents/housing_statistics_in_the_european_union_2010.pdf. Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • Hu, S., Yan, D., Guo, S., Cui, Y., & Dong, B. (2017). A survey on energy consumption and energy usage behavior of households and residential building in urban China. Energy and Buildings, 148, 366–378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Energy Agency IEA (n.d.) (http://energyatlas.iea.org/#!/tellmap/-1118783123/2). Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • Khair-El-Din, E. M. (1990). Energy conservation and its implication for architectural design and town planning in the hot-arid areas of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Solar & Wind Technology, 7(2/3), 131–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kharseh, M., Al-Khawaja, M., & Hassani, F. (2015). Comparison between different measures to reduce cooling requirements of residential building in cooling-dominated environment. Energy and Buildings, 88, 409–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krarti, M., Dubey, K., & Howarth, N. (2017). Evaluation of building energy efficiency investment options for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.05.084.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurekci, N. A. (2016). Determination of optimum insulation thickness for building walls by using heating and cooling degree-day values of all Turkey’s provincial centers. Energy and Buildings, 118, 197–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, I. B., Hidalgo, E., Gomez, W., & Rose’s, R. (2001). Behavioral factors study of residential users which influence the energy consumption. Renewable Energy, 24, 521–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matar, W. (2016). Beyond the end-consumer: How would improvements in residential energy efficiency affect the power sector in Saudi Arabia? Energy Efficiency, 9, 771–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-015-9392-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mujeebu, M. A., & Alshamrani, O. S. (2016). Prospects of energy conservation and management in buildings – The Saudi Arabian scenario versus global trends. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 58, 1647–1663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, A., Bergstad, C. J., Thuvander, L., Andersson, D., Andersson, K., & Meiling, P. (2014). Effects of continuous feedback on households’ electricity consumption: Potentials and barriers. Applied Energy, 122(1), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.060.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD/IEA. (2016). Key words Energy Statistics 2016, http://www.iea.org/statistics/. Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • OECD/IEA, Energy Climate and Change, World Energy Outlook Special Report, 2015. https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/WEO2015SpecialReportonEnergyandClimateChange.pdf. Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • Rodríguez-Soria, B., Domínguez-Hernández, J., Pérez-Bella, J. M., & del Coz-Díaz, J. J. (2014). Review of international regulations governing the thermal insulation requirements of residential building sand harmonization of envelope energy loss. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 34, 78–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santin, O. G., Itard, L., & Visscher, H. (2009). The effect of occupancy and building characteristics on energy use for space and water heating in Dutch residential stock. Energy and Buildings, 41, 1223–1232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2009.07.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO). (2014). Thermal Transmittance Values for Residential Buildings, Saudi Standard, DRAFT No. 28793/2014 http://www.saso.gov.sa/ar/eservices/tbt/TBTNoteDoc/InsulationRegulation E-_v14_values edited.pdf. Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • Saudi Electric Company Reports, www.se.com.sa/SEC/ARABIC/Panel/Reports/. Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • Special ISO Focus. (2007). Standards for a sustainable energy future, World Energy Congress 2007, 11 - 15 November 2007 in Rome, Italy.

  • Taleb, H. M., & Sharples, S. (2011). Developing sustainable residential buildings in Saudi Arabia: A case study. Applied Energy, 88, 383–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2016). International Energy Outlook 2016 With Projection to 2040, DOE/EIA-0484(2016), www.eia.gov/forecasts/ieo/pdf/0484(2016).pdf. Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

  • Ueno, T., Inada, R., Saeki, O., & Tsuji, K. (2006). Effectiveness of an energy-consumption information system for residential buildings. Applied Energy, 83, 868–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wahl, E. (2017). Buildings In arid desert climate improving energy efficiency with measures on the building envelope, MSc thesis, Architectural Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. https://ltu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1084934/FULLTEXT01.pdf. Accessed 20 Sept 2018.

  • Yousefi, F., Gholipour, Y., & Yan, W. (2017). A study of the impact of occupant behaviors on energy performance of building envelopes using occupants’ data. Energy and Buildings, 148, 182–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.04.085.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D., McCoy, A. P., Du, J., Agee, P., & Lu, Y. (2017). Interaction effects of building technology and resident behavior on energy consumption in residential buildings. Energy and Buildings, 134, 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.10.049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research was financially supported by the scientific research deanship of Qassim University, KSA (Grant No. 2387).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    Khaled Khodary Esmaeil

  2. Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

    Khaled Khodary Esmaeil, Mohammed Saleh Alshitawi & Radwan Abdoulgani Almasri

Authors
  1. Khaled Khodary Esmaeil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammed Saleh Alshitawi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Radwan Abdoulgani Almasri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Khaled Khodary Esmaeil.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix

Appendix

Energy consumption assessment questionnaire in existing buildings

Please complete the Questionnaire form with required information; however, if you are not sure about the answer of any items, leave it blank and please do not answer it.

Part I: General data

figure a

Part II: Electricity consuming items data

Consuming Item

Model

Power (kW)

Number of units

Time of use (h)

Notes

Air conditioners

     

Washer

     

Refrigerator

     

Freezing

     

Electric oven

     

Glow

     

Electric water heater

     

Microwave

     

Water Cooler

     

Television

     

Computer screen

     

Vacuum cleaner

     

Iron

     

Water pump

     

Lighting devices in your home

Incandescent

    

Fluorescent

    

Efficient light

    

Others

    

Filter

     

Exhaust blower

     

Others

     

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Esmaeil, K.K., Alshitawi, M.S. & Almasri, R.A. Analysis of energy consumption pattern in Saudi Arabia’s residential buildings with specific reference to Qassim region. Energy Efficiency 12, 2123–2145 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-019-09806-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-019-09806-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation