ABSTRACT

Energy consumption in buildings has become one of the most critical problems in all countries and principles of sustainability suggest that a satisfactory solution must be found to reduce energy consumption. This study aims to identify and prioritize energy consumption optimization strategies in buildings. Data collection consists of gathering primary data from the existing literature and secondary data from interviews, questionnaires, and simulations through building information modeling (BIM) tools. Twenty-nine strategies were identified and categorized into five groups according to their nature and ranked using one of the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods called the step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA). A case study building in Shiraz, Iran, was simulated using BIM software, and the energy saving potential of the highest ranked strategies were obtained. According to the results, significant contributors to the energy consumption optimization were “Using renewable energy resources,” “Using efficient insulation,” and “Using suitable materials,” providing 100%, 35%, and 23% efficacy, respectively. The results obtained from this study can inform the building industry’s key stakeholders regarding the best strategies to apply in order to reduce energy consumption and improve sustainability in the construction industry.