1.

Introduction
The locations and surroundings are important factors in regulating building temperature
and illumination. For example, trees, landscaping, and hills can provide shade and block
wind. In hot weather countries, buildings are designed with north facing windows to
decrease the amount of sun entering the building, i.e, reducing the energy use, by
minimizing passive solar heating. Hence, site design, construction, operation,
maintenance, and renovation are processes usually use to improve the energy efficiency
of buildings. This requires unite cooperation of the design team, the architects, the
engineers, and the client at all project stages. The energy-efficient building practice
expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility,
durability, and comfort.

The design and construction of energy-efficient buildings often include accurate

measurements that would support in reducing the energy consumption – both the
embodied energy required to extract, process, transport and install building materials
and operating energy to provide services such as heating and power for equipment.

As energy-efficient buildings use less operating energy, embodied energy has assumed
much greater importance and may make up as much as 30% of the overall life cycle
energy consumption [1].

Effective energy-efficient building design can include the use of low cost Passive Infra
Reds (PIRs) to switch-off lighting when areas are unoccupied such as toilets, corridors
or even office areas out-of-hours. In addition, lux levels can be monitored using daylight
sensors linked to the building's lighting scheme to switch on/off or dim the lighting to
pre-defined levels, to take into account the natural light and thus reduce consumption.
Building Management Systems (BMS) link all of this together in one centralized
computer to control the whole building's lighting and power requirements [2]. Also,
high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors increase the
efficiency of the building envelope. Another strategy, passive solar building design, is
often implemented in low-energy homes. Designers orient windows and walls and place
awnings, porches, and trees to shade windows and roofs during the summer while
maximizing solar gain in the winter. In addition, effective window placement can
provide more natural light and lessen the need for electric lighting during the day. Solar
water heating further reduces energy costs. Renewable energy such as solar power or
wind power can significantly improve the building efficiency and reduce the
environmental impact [3].

Using compact fluorescent lights reduces the energy to two-thirds and may last 6 to 10
times longer than incandescent light bulbs. Newer fluorescent lights produce a natural
light, and in most applications they are cost effective, despite their higher initial cost,
with payback periods as low as a few months [4].

Smart meters are slowly being adopted by the commercial sector to highlight to staff
and for internal monitoring purposes. The use of Power Quality Analyzers can be
introduced into an existing building to assess usage, harmonic distortion, peaks, swells
and interruptions amongst others to ultimately make the building more energy-
efficient. Often such meters communicate by using wireless sensor networks [5].
A thorough energy modification is a whole-building analysis and construction process
that uses to achieve much larger energy savings than conventional energy retrofits.
Energy retrofits can be applied to both residential and non-residential buildings. A deep
energy retrofit typically results in energy savings of 30 percent or more, perhaps spread
over several years, and may significantly improve the building value [6].

In this paper, all the previous strategies for achieving energy efficient system in
buildings are monitored and studied in the Middle East building aiming at criticizing
the existing implementations and to drive some recommendations about missing ones,
moreover, it is an attempt to introduce a new approach to improve the energy efficient
in the Middle east buildings with its current circumstances.

2. Energy-efficient buildings in Middle East

Middle East buildings are characterized by its haphazard construction especially in
countries like Egypt and Syria. Consequently, the usage of energy is not differing from
such randomness. This is imposing a challenge on researchers to seek a methodology
to stop and/or adopting the consumption of energy. Energy usage in the Middle East
are observed n the form of: abusing the resources, still far from effective solar energy
system, bad habitats of costumers, no treatment of emissions, ..etc.

2. 1 Solar Chimney
In its simplest form, the solar chimney consists of a black-painted chimney. During the
day solar energy heats the chimney and the air within it, creating an updraft of air in the
chimney. The suction created at the chimney's base can be used to ventilate and cool
the building below. In most parts of the world it is easier to harness wind power for such
ventilation as is done with a Badgir, but on hot windless days a Solar chimney can
provide ventilation where otherwise there would be none [7].

There are however a number of solar chimney variations. The basic design elements of
a solar chimney are:

• The solar collector area: This can be located in the top part of the chimney or
can include the entire shaft. The orientation, type of glazing, insulation and
thermal properties of this element are crucial for harnessing, retaining and
utilizing solar gains
• The main ventilation shaft: The location, height, cross section and the thermal
properties of this structure are also very important.
• The inlet and outlet air apertures: The sizes, location as well as aerodynamic
aspects of these elements are also significant.

A principle has been proposed for solar power generation, using a large greenhouse at
the base rather than relying solely on heating the chimney itself.

Solar chimneys are painted black so that they absorb the sun's heat more easily and
efficiently. When the air inside the chimney is heated, it rises and pulls cold air out
from under the ground via the heat exchange tubes as shown in figure (1) [7].
 Figure (1): Solar chimney draws air through a geothermal heat exchange to provide
passive home cooling

2.2 Ground-Coupled Heat Exchanger

A ground-coupled heat exchanger is an underground heat exchanger that can capture
heat from and/or dissipate heat to the ground. They use the Earth's near constant
subterranean temperature to warm or cool air or other fluids for residential, agricultural
or industrial uses. If building air is blown through the heat exchanger for heat recovery
ventilation, they are called earth tubes. These systems are known by several other
names, including: air-to-soil heat exchanger, earth channels, earth canals, earth-air
tunnel systems, ground tube heat exchanger, hypocausts, subsoil heat exchangers,
underground air pipes, and others.

Earth tubes are often valuable and economical alternative or supplement to

conventional central heating or air conditioning systems since there are no compressors,
chemicals or burners and only blowers are required to move the air. These are used for
either partial or full cooling and/or heating of facility ventilation air as shown in figures
(2 and 3).

Earth-air heat exchangers have been used in agricultural facilities (animal buildings)
and horticultural facilities (greenhouses) in the United States over the past several
decades and have been used in conjunction with solar chimneys in hot arid areas for
thousands of years. Implementation of these systems in Austria, Denmark, Germany,
and India has become fairly common since the mid-1990s, and is slowly being adopted
in North America.

Ground-coupled heat exchanger may also use water or antifreeze as a heat transfer fluid,
often in conjunction with a geothermal heat pump [8].
 Figure (2): Heat recovery ventilation.

Figure (3): Typical application of ground-coupled heat pump system (from Sanner et
al., 2003).

2.3 Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Building Integrated PV employs solar photovoltaic panels to replace conventional

building materials in the roofs, walls and sun shading of buildings. The practice of
integrating Solar PV modules to enable buildings to generate electricity is increasing in
popularity and as the technology improves and costs reduce.
The main advantage of Building Integrated PV, over more traditional building methods,
is that some of the construction costs can be offset by reducing the amount spent on the
construction materials that the Solar PV modules replace as shown in figure (4).

Figure (4): BIPV in energy-efficient building

Multifunctional solutions that combine aesthetic and photovoltaic technology applied

in historical buildings, being a cutting edge technology for buildings retrofits have been
developed recently.

Photovoltaic technology improves energy conditions of the buildings, making more

efficient all those who were not designed under modern patterns of sustainability and
energy efficiency.

This contribution respects building's original aesthetic concept by using "low visual
impact solutions" on all these buildings that represent the artistic and cultural heritage
of a city.

Retrofit projects of historical buildings that incorporate photovoltaic skylights, benefit

from multifunctional solutions that not only generate electricity on site, but also control
visible light entrance, reaching thermal inner comfort and harvesting UV and IR
radiation [9].

2.4 Energy-Efficient Windows

Windows bring light, warmth, and beauty into buildings and give a feeling of openness
and space to living areas. They can also be major sources of heat loss in the winter and
heat gain in the summer.

In 1990 alone, the energy used to offset unwanted heat losses and gains through
windows in residential and commercial buildings cost the United States $20 billion
(one-fourth of all the energy used for space heating and cooling). However, when
properly selected and installed, windows can help minimize a home's heating, cooling,
and lighting costs [10].
2.5 Lighting and Appliances

Lighting buildings with Lighting Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is 75% - 90% more efficient
than using standard incandescent light-bulbs, and they can last up to 12 years. Their
durability makes them a great choice for outdoor lighting in regions with extreme
temperatures. They also save you loads in the long run on your electric bills.

On the other hand, by using the sun to naturally light your home during the day, you
can leave your light fixtures off all day. Compared to conventional, buildings that have
been designed with day lighting in mind use 40% - 60% less electricity for lighting [11].

Dimmers not only to create ambiance, but also to reduce the energy needed to light a
space. Also, using dimmers with CFLs will not reduce their lifespan. Motion sensors
for outdoor lighting will allow one to increase his sense of safety without having to
constantly light the yard at night, which will ultimately reduce light pollution and save
money.

Another important point is dealing with "phantom" or "vampire", an electrical

consumption type describes currant drawing from appliances even f they are not in use.
By unplugging appliances or turning off power strips before leaving the house, one can
cut off the electrical supply to the entertainment system or the clock on microwave [11].

Figure (5) shows a comparison between the different lamps. The difference in the power
saving is obvious and it shows that the LED lamp is the best one from the power saving
aspect. In addition to the power saving, the LED lamps life is longer than the others
[12].

Figure (5): Comparison between the efficiency different lamps

2.6 Solar Water Heating

Solar water heaters can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for a home. They
can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use—sunshine—is free.

There are two types of solar water systems- active and passive. An active solar collector
system can produce about 80 to 100 gallons of hot water per day. A passive system will
have a lower capacity.

There are also two types of circulation; direct circulation systems and indirect
circulation systems. Direct circulation systems loop the domestic water through the
panels. They should not be used in climates with temperatures below freezing. Indirect
circulation loops glycol or some other fluid through the solar panels and uses a heat
exchanger to heat up the domestic water.

The two most common types of collector panels are Flat-Plate and Evacuated-tube. The
two work similarly except that evacuated tubes do not convectively lose heat, which
greatly improves their efficiency (5%-25% more efficient). With these higher
efficiencies, Evacuated-tube solar collectors can also produce higher-temperature space
heating, and even higher temperatures for absorption cooling systems.

Electric-resistance water heaters that are common in homes today have an electrical
demand around 4500 kWh/year. With the use of solar collectors, the energy use is cut
in half. The up-front cost of installing solar collectors is high, but with the annual energy
savings, payback periods are relatively short.

The efficiency of re-modeled buildings is much higher than before. A study in China
shows that the efficiency increased by 30% after implementing energy efficiency
standards as shown in figure (6) [13].

Building Energy Consumption

Comparision
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The averagt energy consumption

30

25
20

15
10
5

Figure 6 Building energy consumption before and after remodeling

3. Example of converting ordinary buildings to energy-
efficient buildings

3.1 Dutch Embassy in Amman, Jordan

A good case study found in literature that reveals the benefits of upgrading or using the
effective energy building is the case of The Dutch villa in Jordan. The villa had passed
several daunting challenges in order to be modified. The project aimed at carrying out
a new design to maintain the old villa that involving: protection measures of earthquake
risk, high levels of insulation, shading, and operational safety precautions.

In fact, the environmental measures included in the design were at high levels in energy
efficiency, water conservation and recycling, and the choice of materials accurately.
Also, the architectural design was carried out to reduce heating and cooling loads, and
make daylight the main source of lighting in the office area.

The first manifestations of sustainability in the construction process reuse existing villa
in the new embassy site.

The most important things that took place regarding improving the energy efficient of
the villa were: 1) The roof is covered with solar umbrellas of cloth, in reference to the
traditional Bedouin tents in Jordan, as well as to the Dutch heritage as resembling ship
sails in front of the wind, which in both cases incorporated between the two cultures
and practically useful in the energy economy. 2) On the aesthetic side, the lightness of
this paper soften the impact of the stone as shown in Figure (7). It is noteworthy that
this shading in the front of the building and side surface greatly reduces gain direct heat
from the sun in the hot summer of Oman. As umbrellas are designed to allow the sun to
warm the inside of the building during the cold winter, when the sun is at a low altitude
and it reduces a great deal of energy consumption for heating. Thanks to this interface
shading become the new semi-transparent floor. The offices are characterized by large
windows allow room for clear vision and the entry of daylight, more than in reducing
the need for artificial lighting.

Figure (7): Front of the embassy

In order to enter the daylight into the heart of the building, the central cavity of the villa
became the Central Hall resulting up between the old floor and the new floor, with an
abundance of light that penetrates the skylight ceiling (skylight) as shown in figure (8).
It is possible to open the window on hot days to release excess heat, which contributes
to naturally ventilated building. This saucer or inner courtyard is not a new milestone,
but is found in traditional Arab houses. Thus architect succeeded to the Dutch embassy
in the merger between traditional concepts and modern designs and functions [14].

Figure (8): Skylights for morning light

3.1.1 Air conditioning

To accommodate pipes and wires coiled heating system, ventilation and cooling,
leaving a vacuum between the old construction and high ground 'outstanding' for the
new floor, which allowed for the use of night ventilation. The interface is equipped this
space 'average' retinal holes allow the passage of the night breeze moderate heat output
gain arising in the day, at the same time reduce pregnancy cooling.

The design of the heating system, ventilation and cooling final step in reducing the
energy needed for the building. Has developed solar panels for water heating system on
the side parking shed, to provide hot water for the building in the winter as shown in
figure (9). The old swimming pool is covered and turned into 'heat sink' underground
storage heating or cooling energy. Quoted heat pump, which was in the former embassy
building to the new building and used to cool the water during the night, where this
water is stored in the pool for use during the day. And used during the day ventilation
system is characterized by the ability to recover energy, and saving on energy
consumption and ensure internal relaxed atmosphere in the building.

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 Figure (9): Solar panels installation on the roof

3.1.2 Solar electricity and water economy

Installed on the roof panels photovoltaic to generate electricity from solar energy, and
believes about 12 percent of all the electricity needs of the building and enough to run
computers, and also provide shade to the surface. It takes into account the requirements
of sustainability in all stages, leading to the choice of furniture, adopted in accordance
with the system of governance and eco-audit (EMAS), a system of environmental
standards and status of the European Union.

Because Jordan of the world's most suffering from water scarcity, given the utmost
importance to maintain the water. The building reflects this trend in particular, as it
compared with any other building designed by conventional methods, reducing 32
percent of the use of potable water as a result of the adoption of high-efficiency fixtures
in the use of water. Add to that irrigate the garden does not exhaust almost nothing of
drinking water (only 4 percent of lower consumption). The rainwater is collected on the
site at a rate 48 percent is used for irrigation. Were selected native plants doing not need
much to irrigate, and maintain ancient trees in locations where possible [14].

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 3.2 Chicago Centre For Green Technology (CCGT), Chicago,
U.S.A.

In 1999 the Chicago Department of Environment embarked on an ambitious project

known as The Chicago Centre for Green Technology (CCGT). The Department
gathered a team of architects and engineers who produced the final designs and oversaw
the construction of a building that would serve as an example for companies and
homeowners all over North America. An amount of $5.4 million was spent renovating
an existing two-levels, 40 000 ft2 building, that was to be converted into a green
building.

The project team incorporated many of the most advanced green technologies available
at the time in the design of the CCGT. The idea was to design a building that would
reduce the demand on natural resources and energy while decreasing the production of
pollution and waste. The building was to do this without forcing occupants to change
their habits drastically. The teams design focuses on four major areas: lighting, water,
earth, and air.

The following is a brief summary of the compilation of green technologies used in

Chicago [15].

Figure (10): Solar Panels on CCGT

4.1 Lighting

CCGT design, shown in Fig.10, includes:

• Photovoltaic cells.
• Passive light designs including a green house with heat absorbing tiles and
skylights.
• Smart lighting, which adjusts the electrical lights according to the available
natural light, thus lowering electricity requirements.
• Motion-sensitive lights that turn themselves off when the room is empty.

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 4.2 Water

CCGT design, shown in figure (11), includes:

• Green roof (with succulent plant stores water in its roots and leaves and
therefore does not need to be watered during drought)
• Cisterns (holding tanks used to collect rain water)
• Disconnected downspouts (drain to soil not sewer)

Figure (11): Water Run Off Cistern

4.3 Earth

Purpose: To reduce the demand on natural resources provided by such as oil, wood,
and minerals.

CCGT Design includes:

• Promotion of alternate forms of transportation by providing bike racks,

showers, electrical outlets in the parking lot for electric cars, and close to
major bus routes.
• Demolition waste was recycled when possible.
• Use of recycled materials in the furnishings in the building.

4.4 Air

CCGT design is shown in figure (12), includes:

• A ground source heat pump and pipe system that carries a (non-toxic) liquid
similar to antifreeze through a series of looped pipes 200 feet (61 m) below
ground level. The liquid is used to regulate the temperature in the building.
• Highly effective insulation, including the green roof that lowers heating and
cooling costs.

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• Use of natural gas to heat the building.
• Use of local materials in the construction and operation of the building. This
reduces pollution related to transportation and helps the local economy.
• Use of less harmful chemical products both for the construction and for the
maintenance of the building.
• The green roof atmospheric carbon dioxide to oxygen through the natural
process (photosynthesis) of the plant life. The roof also absorbs rainwater and
thus reduces the amount of water released into the city’s sewer system.

Figure (12): Ground source heat pump

5. Conclusions