Impact of Inter-Building Shading and Block Positioning on Energy Consumption: A Validated Multi-Climate Simulation Study for Iran

Mousavi Navaee, Seyed Ali; Falavand Jozaei, Ali; Ghafouri, Ashkan; Mahdavi Adeli, Mohsen

doi:10.22075/jhmtr.2026.38444.1789

Impact of Inter-Building Shading and Block Positioning on Energy Consumption: A Validated Multi-Climate Simulation Study for Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Full Length Research Article

Authors

Seyed Ali Mousavi Navaee ¹

Ali Falavand Jozaei ¹

Ashkan Ghafouri ¹

Mohsen Mahdavi Adeli ²

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

² Department of Mechanical Engineering, So.C., Islamic Azad University, Sousangerd, Iran

10.22075/jhmtr.2026.38444.1789

Abstract

This research presents a parametric and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the effects of building orientation, mutual shading, and HVAC system performance on the energy consumption of residential buildings in four Iranian climates: Ahvaz (very hot/humid), Tabriz (cold/dry), Tehran (temperate/semi-arid), and Yazd (hot/dry). Utilizing a validated dynamic energy model in DesignBuilder, seven block configurations six within an alley and one standalone were simulated. The results quantify a critical climate-driven energy trade-off: strategic shading reduces cooling demand by 11.5% to 29% in hot and temperate climates but concurrently increases heating demand by up to 25% in colder settings. A key supplementary finding from sensitivity analysis is that enhancing HVAC system efficiency (e.g., increasing cooling COP from 2.5 to 4.5) can yield energy savings (~44.5%) comparable to those achieved by architectural shading alone. This underscores the necessity for an integrated design approach that synergizes climate-responsive urban form (optimized shading) with high-performance building systems to achieve optimal energy performance. The study provides evidence-based guidelines for the energy-conscious planning of residential complexes in similar climatic contexts.

Keywords

Energy consumption

cooling load

heating load

adjacent buildings

building positioning

Subjects