A Methodological Framework for Transitioning From Conventional to Sustainable Green Building Practices: Case Study of a School Building in Pakistan

Abstract

Energy-efficient buildings are a crucial issue that must be discussed internationally to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of energy is consumed for thermal comfort in buildings. This novel research shows the impact of different wall materials, plaster, and wall insulation materials on a school's peak cooling load and operational carbon reduction in Karachi, Pakistan. Commonly used building materials are studied, and the latest meteorological information from NASA Power Data 2022 is used in this research. The approach is to shift conventional toward green buildings. The study examines eight wall materials with different thermal conductivities. The results showed that the wall made of concrete lightweight (W1) and lightweight concrete block perlite filled (W2) reduced the peak cooling total load and kg-equivalent carbon dioxide (kg eq-CO₂) emissions by 49.29% and 47.57%, respectively, compared to clay brick (common brick) which is commonly used in Karachi, Pakistan. Wall plaster material gypsum plasterboard (WP1) reduced 26.7% of peak cooling total load compared to the widely used cement with sand aggregate (WP3). The best insulation material was a foil-faced polyisocyanurate (WI1) rigid panel on a common brick wall, which reduced the peak cooling load and kg eq-CO₂ emissions by 44.64%.