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Buildings
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Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings
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Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2026 | Viewed by 4469

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Akbar Sheikh Akbari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS6 3QR, UK
Interests: energy consumption prediction; load forcasting; machine learning; artificial intelligence; hyperspectral image processing; biometric identification techniques; assisted living technologies; image/video processing; embedded systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Faheem Khan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
Interests: spectrum sharing and management for beyond 5G and 6G wireless networks; AI/deep learning applications in wireless communications; Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC); Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for 6G communications and Internet of Things (IoT) networks
Dr. Mohammad Hassan Khooban

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
Interests: energy integration systems; machine learning; control systems; quantum technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Iosif Mporas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science, Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
Interests: applications of signal processing; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The pursuit of energy-efficient, resilient, and intelligent residential buildings is driving significant advancements in technology, sustainability, and construction design. This Special Issue invites pioneering research that explores how advanced technologies and interdisciplinary strategies can optimize energy consumption and enhance energy efficiency, specifically within the context of the building sector.

To ensure alignment with the scope of Buildings, the focus is on innovations that directly impact residential building design, construction, operation, and performance. We aim to integrate diverse fields—including energy systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), and sustainable living environments—to highlight the latest methodologies and technologies contributing to energy-efficient residential buildings.

We welcome original research and review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:

  • Energy efficiency in residential buildings;
  • Smart energy management systems;
  • Renewable energy integration in homes;
  • Energy optimization algorithms for buildings;
  • Building energy modeling and simulation;
  • Home energy management systems (HEMSs);
  • Monitoring and analytics of residential energy consumption;
  • AI and ML applications in building energy optimization;
  • Energy storage solutions for residential use;
  • Zero-energy and net-zero buildings;
  • Building automation and control systems;
  • IoT-enabled energy management in homes;
  • Smart metering and lighting control;
  • User behavior and energy use in residential settings;
  • Energy efficiency standards and regulations in housing;
  • Policy implications for residential energy systems.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that advances the design and operation of energy-efficient residential buildings. We encourage submissions that present innovative solutions, practical implementations, and theoretical advancements with clear relevance to the building sector.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this impactful area of research.

Dr. Akbar Sheikh Akbari
Dr. Faheem Khan
Dr. Mohammad Hassan Khooban
Prof. Dr. Iosif Mporas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • energy efficiency
  • smart energy management systems
  • renewable energy integration
  • energy optimization algorithms
  • building energy modeling
  • home energy management systems (HEMS)
  • energy consumption monitoring
  • artificial intelligence in energy optimization
  • energy storage systems
  • machine learning for energy efficiency
  • zero-energy buildings
  • energy performance simulation
  • building automation systems
  • IoT in energy management
  • smart metering
  • lighting control systems
  • energy consumption analytics
  • energy policy and regulation
  • user behavior and energy consumption and energy efficiency standards

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 4741 KB  
Article
Optimization and Performance Analysis of a Solar-Assisted Sewage-Source Heat Pump System for Buildings: Toward Efficient Wastewater Heat Recovery
by Yiou Ma, Ye Wang, Yuenan Zhao, Yaqi Wen and Yagang Wang
Buildings 2026, 16(8), 1569; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16081569 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 265
Abstract
Wastewater heat recovery has emerged as a vital strategy for building energy conservation, due to its significant potential and the inherent thermal stability of sewage as a heat source. Enhancing synergy between such waste heat and other clean energy sources is a key [...] Read more.
Wastewater heat recovery has emerged as a vital strategy for building energy conservation, due to its significant potential and the inherent thermal stability of sewage as a heat source. Enhancing synergy between such waste heat and other clean energy sources is a key research focus. This study developed a solar-assisted sewage-source coupled heating system for a Chinese university dormitory and established a multiobjective optimization framework integrating economic, environmental, and energy efficiency indicators via a combined weighting approach of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Entropy Weight Method. Optimization was conducted using the Hooke–Jeeves algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm, and the Hooke–Jeeves–Particle Swarm Optimization hybrid algorithm (shorten as HJ–PSO), with subsequent comparative performance analysis. The HJ–PSO hybrid performed best: 24% lower operating costs, a 4.8-year shorter dynamic payback period, 26.35% fewer carbon dioxide emissions, 38.65% lower overall energy consumption, and an 11.18% higher system coefficient of performance. Supported by relevant policies, the system is low-carbon and economically viable, enabling grid peak shaving. This research provides theoretical and engineering references for renewable energy heating systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings)
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16 pages, 6582 KB  
Article
Architectural Design Follows Energy Analysis: A Case of Residential Buildings in Bahrain
by Wael Abdelhameed
Buildings 2026, 16(2), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020333 - 13 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 647
Abstract
This research paper explores the key role of energy analysis in the initial phases of architectural design. The main research question is as follows: How can energy analysis shape and optimize architectural design variables? To address this question, the research paper identifies key [...] Read more.
This research paper explores the key role of energy analysis in the initial phases of architectural design. The main research question is as follows: How can energy analysis shape and optimize architectural design variables? To address this question, the research paper identifies key architectural design variables, including structural system, roof, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and building envelope, all of which are influenced by energy efficiency strategies. Through case studies of residential buildings in Bahrain, the research investigates the optimization of these design variables. Energy models are employed to explore the impact of energy analysis on the design and performance of the selected residential buildings. The findings reveal a significant potential for energy reduction in annual consumption through the collective optimization of passive strategies. Furthermore, specific energy reduction for each sole variable is observed, as follows for structural system material (3.63% to 11.29%), roof thermal insulation (0.75% to 3.37%), WWR optimization (0.61% to 1.27%), and building envelope (7.39% to 13.5%). These findings establish energy analysis as a fundamental design approach for initial design phases or selection between design alternatives, and can be generalized to similar arid, humid climates and residential building designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings)
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25 pages, 3652 KB  
Article
Analysis of the Effects of a Swing Door Opening on Indoor Airflow Fields—An Experimental Study
by Saeid Chahardoli, Mohammad Saleh Nikoopayan Tak, Mina Lesan, Ehsan Mousavi and Arup Bhattacharya
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010054 - 23 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 764
Abstract
Occupant interactions with built environments significantly influence indoor airflow patterns. Among these interactions, door openings are common, which affect airflow fields and contribute to the dispersion of airborne contaminants. The wakes originating from alterations in airflow patterns contribute to the transport of pollutants [...] Read more.
Occupant interactions with built environments significantly influence indoor airflow patterns. Among these interactions, door openings are common, which affect airflow fields and contribute to the dispersion of airborne contaminants. The wakes originating from alterations in airflow patterns contribute to the transport of pollutants and must be carefully considered for system design in critical environments to avoid cross-contamination of susceptible bodies (e.g., patients, precision manufacturing, etc.). Therefore, knowledge about the movement patterns of these wakes is crucial in the context of indoor air quality. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted in a controlled chamber under two different schemes of a swing door opening and three different flow regimes to study the turbulent vortices produced from door openings and their spatiotemporal propagation. Additionally, an enhanced event-based modeling (EBM) approach was employed to develop a data-driven prediction of the transient indoor air patterns resulting from door-opening activities. The results suggest a significant effect of a door opening on indoor airflow fields. The velocity fields demonstrate that consecutive openings under different ventilation conditions have a prolonged impact on the propagation of door-opening-induced wakes farther into the test chamber. The quantification of the change in kinetic energy from the door opening also shows that the level of ventilation governs the flow patterns resulting from human-induced perturbation of the steady-state flow fields. The EBM approach effectively approximated the airflow patterns and demonstrated its potential to predict transient airflow disturbances caused by door operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings)
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22 pages, 1891 KB  
Article
BIM-Based Life Cycle Carbon Assessment and PV Strategies for Residential Buildings in Central China
by Yifeng Guo, Yexue Li, Shanshan Xie, Wanqin Mao and Xuzhi Chen
Buildings 2025, 15(23), 4232; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15234232 - 24 Nov 2025
Viewed by 938
Abstract
Aligned with China’s “Dual Carbon” goals, this study addresses carbon emissions in the building sector. Existing research predominantly focuses on single-stage carbon emission assessment or separately examines the benefits of BIM applications and photovoltaic (PV) technology. There is a notable lack of studies [...] Read more.
Aligned with China’s “Dual Carbon” goals, this study addresses carbon emissions in the building sector. Existing research predominantly focuses on single-stage carbon emission assessment or separately examines the benefits of BIM applications and photovoltaic (PV) technology. There is a notable lack of studies that deeply integrate the BIM platform with dynamic assessment of building life cycle carbon emissions and PV carbon reduction strategies, particularly under the specific context of the hot-summer/cold-winter climate in Central China and a regional grid primarily reliant on thermal power. Moreover, localized and in-depth analyses targeting residential buildings in this region remain scarce. To address this gap, this study takes a residential building in Central China as a case study and establishes a BIM-based life cycle carbon emission assessment model to systematically quantify the carbon footprint across all stages. Results show total life cycle carbon emissions of 12600 tCO2, with embodied carbon (4590 tCO2, 36.6%) and the operational phase identified as the main emission sources. Through PV system integration and multi-scenario simulations, the study demonstrates significant carbon reduction potential: systems with 40–80 kW capacity can achieve annual carbon reductions ranging from 26 to 52 tCO2. The 60 kW system shows the optimal balance with an annual reduction of 38.7 tCO2 and a payback period of 3.53 years. The primary novelty of this work lies in its development of a dynamic BIM-LCA framework that enables real-time carbon footprint tracking, and the establishment of a first-of-its-kind quantitative model for PV strategy optimization under the specific climatic and grid conditions of Central China, providing a replicable pathway for region-specific decarbonization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings)
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20 pages, 2857 KB  
Article
Measuring the Impact of Occupancy Numbers on Energy Consumption in a High-Density Building
by Bashar Alfalah, Mehdi Shahrestani and Li Shao
Buildings 2025, 15(19), 3598; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15193598 - 7 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1301
Abstract
Buildings significantly impact the environment, accounting for 36% of global final energy consumption and 37% of total carbon emissions. Therefore, reducing energy consumption and mitigating carbon emissions in the building sector is of paramount importance. To achieve this, several factors should be considered. [...] Read more.
Buildings significantly impact the environment, accounting for 36% of global final energy consumption and 37% of total carbon emissions. Therefore, reducing energy consumption and mitigating carbon emissions in the building sector is of paramount importance. To achieve this, several factors should be considered. Among them, building occupants are key drivers in the operation of building services that directly influence energy consumption and energy-related emissions. In this paper, one year of raw energy consumption data from a high-density higher education building in the UK was processed to study the correlation between energy consumption and occupancy level. Additionally, a simulation model was developed to measure the impact of occupancy numbers on building energy consumption. Various data analyses were performed, including correlation, regression, and sensitivity analysis. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between occupancy numbers and electricity consumption of 71.5%. Conversely, 18% was found between occupancy numbers and heat energy consumption, indicating no correlation. The sensitivity analysis results on the impact of changing occupancy numbers in the simulated model, ranging from –30% to +30%, aligned with the results of the analyses performed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Energy Consumption and Optimization for Residential Buildings)
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