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for example, commercial and residential buildings consume more than 40% of the
primary energy (EIA 2012). Similarly, domestic sector is responsible for about 33% of the
national energy consumption in the UK (DECC 2011). The energy used by the building
sector continues to increase; primarily because new buildings are constructed faster
than old ones are retired. Commercial and residential buildings account for 15.3% of
global GHG emissions, including 9.9% for commercial buildings and 5.4% for residential
(Baumert et al 2005). These GHG emissions are either direct such as emissions from
fuels combustion, or indirect such as emissions associated with the consumed electricity.
Saudi Residential Building Sector
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries in the Middle East with a population of 25.7
million. With a total area of 2.2 million square kilometres Saudi Arabia lies between
latitude of 17.5 °N and 31 °N and longitude of 36.6 °E and 50 °E. Said et al (2003)
classifies the country into five different climatic zones namely Subtropical with a
Mediterranean subzone and a Mountainous subtype, Hot-Dry with a Maritime Desert
subzone, Hot-Dry Maritime subzone, Cold-Dry with a Desert subzone and Hot-Dry with a
Desert subzone. The building styles in Saudi Arabia can be categorised into four
architectural styles: Najd style, the Arabian Gulf style, the Hejaz style and the Asir style.
In the past, buildings were constructed from local materials that were produced in-situ
such as limestone, coral, stone and wood. Typical dwellings used to have thicker walls
and roofs for
better thermal insulation. Many vernacular architecture techniques such as
wind towers, courtyards, fountains and mashrabiyas were employed for cooling and
daylighting. Contrary to that, modern buildings have thinner walls and roofs, and are
made from reinforced concrete.
The Saudi construction sector is the largest and fastest growing market in the Gulf
Cooperation Council States (GCC States). This sector has a great potential for growth as
the demand for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings continues to rise. The
country is experiencing a renaissance, pushed up by the oil boom, to develop its
infrastructure, and it has one of the most active construction markets in the world.
Figures suggest that the value of building construction sector comprises nearly half of
the total construction projects value in the Saudi construction industry (Venture 2011).
One of the significant issues that buildings are suffering from is excessive energy
consumption. In a survey undertaken by the Saudi Government, it was discovered that
about 60% of the total electricity consumed in summer is used in air conditioning
systems (El-Hamid and Khair-El-Din 1990). According to the Saudi Ministry of Water and
Electricity (MoWE) (2009), the electricity consumption in the country has increased by
35% over the last two decades largely due to intensive use of air conditioning systems. A
study undertaken by Dincer et al (2004) on the sectoral energy and exergy flows in
Saudi Arabia for 12 years between 1990 and 2001 shows that between 45-55% of the
total residential energy consumption goes toward air-conditioning of buildings.
Additionally, the average energy consumption in the residential sector for air conditioning
system, cooking, appliances and lighting, are 52%, 30%, 10%, and 8%, respectively.
An analysis of the construction sector suggests that most of the projects being
undertaken are residential buildings in order to meet the demand for new homes - the
statistics provided by the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MoMRA) indicate
that the majority of the licenses being issued for construction in Saudi Arabia are for
residential buildings (MoMRA 2011). The residential sector is expected to experience a
significant growth in future as the population is rising at a rate of 2.5 % per year and only
24% of the Saudi nationals have their own homes (Deloitte 2010). Estimates suggest
that around two-third of the population is under the age of 30 years. To meet the needs
of the constantly growing population, the country has to build 2.32 million new homes by
