The Estidama Pearl Rating System created by the Urban Planning Council in Abu Dhabi establishes sustainable design and construction criteria for new villas (residential): https://www.upc.gov.ae/en/upc-services-and-tools/services/estidama-services
As of 2016 the Dubai Municipality has established the Al Sa’fat Rating System which is mandatory for all new buildings in the Emirate of Dubai.
The LEED for Homes rating system offered by the USGBC is a comprehensive sustainability rating system that provides guidance on energy and water efficient homes as well as other sustainability practices. These systems contain many features which can be incorporated into new construction projects in the Emirates. Visit website for more info.
ENERGY STAR’s requirements for new home construction include better durability, better comfort, and reduced utility and maintenance costs. https://www.energystar.gov/newhomes/explore_features_benefits
UK’s BREEAM Code for Sustainable Homes also provides an effective rating system and assessment method to determine the sustainability of homes.
Ventilation and Acceptable IAQ for residential buildings
https://ashrae.iwrapper.com/ViewOnline/Standard_62.2-2016
Energy Efficient Design for Low Rise Residential Buildings
https://www.techstreet.com/ashrae/standards/ashrae-90-2-2018?product_id=2030773/
Radiant Cooling
Radiant Cooling
A Radiant Cooling system (also referred to as Chilled Beam system) can significantly lower the cooling load on a chiller by utilizing water instead of air as the medium of heat transfer in the HVAC system. Chilled beams consume less fan energy, require less ceiling space, and are much quieter. Such systems are expected to lower the chiller cooling load by approximately 20%. Insulated floors can regulate cooling demand.
The Variable Refrigerant Flow technology uses refrigerants as the medium for cooling. VRF allow for greater energy savings as they only work as needed. VRFs are popular in office buildings.
Absorption Chillers Absorption chillers use heat to drive the refrigeration cycle efficiently and use very little energy.
Water Cooled Chillers
Water cooled chillers are far more energy efficient compared to air cooled chillers. Showing about 50% in energy savings.
Mechanisms such as Heat recovery wheels (systems) provide a low cost solution to managing humidity and heat. A heat recovery wheel traps cold air that is being expelled from the ventilation system and turns its energy back around, mixing it with incoming hot air from the outside and cooling it as a result. This simple but efficient technology can substantially reduce the demand for energy to cool a building. Heat recovery wheels can also be used in reverse order when hot energy from expelled hot exhaust air needs to be turned back around inside the building. In addition, Heat/Energy recovery systems are required by the Dubai Al Sa’fat Rating System under section 502.10.
We spend 90% of our time indoors, hence it is extremely important to test the quality of indoor air. Common contaminants that are typically found in indoor air include carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, aldehyde, hydrocarbons, mold, pesticides, asbestos, and several known allergens such as dust mints, pet dander and insect parts.
Implement a Building Management System (BMS). A BMS typically manages mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems which represent 40% of a building’s energy usage. With lighting included, that number can reach up to 70%. BMS systems are a critical component to managing energy demand. Improperly configured BMS systems are believed to account for an additional 20% of the buildings energy usage.
Use point source single outlet pressure compensating (PC) Emitters or multi-outlet PC Emitters for scattered plants.
Locate copiers, printers, and fax equipment in effectively ventilated areas preferably maintained at negative pressure in order to effectively remove VOCs that are emitted from these machines.
Indoor Lighting
A well-designed office building with ample natural lighting is estimated to reduce lighting energy use by 10% to 20% from a non green building (ASHRAE baseline 90.1-2004);
Sustainable building projects can reduce their potable water consumption by designing and installing plumbing systems that can use captured greywater in flush fixtures or provide greywater for landscape irrigation. Dubai Municipality’s Al Sa’fat’s Gold certification requires 15% of onsite greywater to be reused, while the Platinum certification requires 30% reuse of onsite greywater – consult the Dubai Al Sa’fat Rating System and Estidama regulations for more information regarding the installment of residential greywater systems.
Water Management System
Radiant cooling to reduce fan loads and improve the thermal comfort, and reduced noise levels through inductive and convectional cooling Offices can have design features that utilize natural ventilation; the Estidama rating system recommends the base minimum standards for natural ventilation strategies to be derived from CIBSE AM10:2005. Features such as operable windows, general window distribution – windows located in adjacent walls with a horizontal shift to allow for cross ventilation – and a reasonable increase in window size also provide protection from direct solar gain and enhance natural ventilation.
Switch from constant air volume to Variable air volume system by considering variable speed drives. This technology saves energy as it provides air as needed.
Water consumption rate per person in the UAE is 550 to 850 liters/day which is considered one of the world’s highest rates. Several steps can be taken to reduce this consumption.
Land can be contoured so that irrigation/rain water runoff flows through all planted vegetation ensuring efficient use of water supply.
Mulching and composting conserve moisture/water and also help build good soil. Use brown driplines to blend in with natural color of mulch.
Use driplines with built-in check valves to eliminate excessive losses due to water runoff when implementing sloped and contoured landscape garden.
Use irrigation automatic controller with multiple irrigation programs for different grouped plants. It is recommended to use a remote connection via Wifi and 3G to Cloud based control and the use of weather based water management systems.
The addition of substrate material such as perlite or vermiculite into the soil mix can help with water retention.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Ceiling Light
Replace your existing light bulbs with LED lights. They are 80% more efficient than incandescent or halogen light bulbs and can save you up to 1,000 AED per bulb over its lifetime.
Thermostat
Maintaining your air-conditioner’s temperature at 24 degree C reduces pressure on cooling units, reduces monthly bills, and in turn reduces carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
Flushing Valve
Install automatic water faucets with light sensors. Installing aerators is also a feasible alternative as it ventilates the water giving it more coverage but with less amount of water used.
Install a Low or Dual flushing valves (promoted by ESMA and Al Sa’fat) with prescribed flush rates of 3/6 L per flush, further more considering alternative water sources such as Grey Water Supply, will help reduce the potable water demand.
Flushing Valve
Install automatic water faucets with light sensors. Installing aerators is also a feasible alternative as it ventilates the water giving it more coverage but with less amount of water used.
Install a Low or Dual flushing valves (promoted by ESMA and Al Sa’fat) with prescribed flush rates of 3/6 L per flush, further more considering alternative water sources such as Grey Water Supply, will help reduce the potable water demand.
Bathroom Water Faucet
Install highly efficient water faucets or add aerators to your existing ones, to ensure flow rate does not exceed 6 L/min in line with the ESMA standards. Installing aerators ventilates the water giving it more coverage but consumes less water.
Bathroom Water Faucet
Install highly efficient water faucets or add aerators to your existing ones, to ensure flow rate does not exceed 6 L/min in line with the ESMA standards. Installing aerators ventilates the water giving it more coverage but consumes less water.
Floor Lamp
To reduce energy consumption, it is recommended to incorporate sensor/motion-lighting in all office areas where occupancy is variable such as hallways, eating areas, printer rooms, and restrooms.
Floor Lamp
To reduce energy consumption, it is recommended to incorporate sensor/motion-lighting in all office areas where occupancy is variable such as hallways, eating areas, printer rooms, and restrooms.
Floor Lamp
To reduce energy consumption, it is recommended to incorporate sensor/motion-lighting in all office areas where occupancy is variable such as hallways, eating areas, printer rooms, and restrooms.
Floor Lamp
To reduce energy consumption, it is recommended to incorporate sensor/motion-lighting in all office areas where occupancy is variable such as hallways, eating areas, printer rooms, and restrooms.
Floor Lamp
To reduce energy consumption, it is recommended to incorporate sensor/motion-lighting in all office areas where occupancy is variable such as hallways, eating areas, printer rooms, and restrooms.
Ceiling and Vertical Floor Fan
Ceiling and floor fans can go a long way with providing good cooling and can reduce the frequent need to turn on air conditioners. Using ceiling fans solely or coupled with AC can allow indoor temperatures to rise up to 28 degree C yet still have an indoor environment within the comfort zone due to the increased air velocity. This is practical if there is no humidity. Fans also enable individual control of thermal comfort levels which studies show improve occupancy rates and satisfaction.
Ceiling and Vertical Floor Fan
Ceiling and floor fans can go a long way with providing good cooling and can reduce the frequent need to turn on air conditioners. Using ceiling fans solely or coupled with AC can allow indoor temperatures to rise up to 28 degree C yet still have an indoor environment within the comfort zone due to the increased air velocity. This is practical if there is no humidity. Fans also enable individual control of thermal comfort levels which studies show improve occupancy rates and satisfaction.
Ceiling and Vertical Floor Fan
Ceiling and floor fans can go a long way with providing good cooling and can reduce the frequent need to turn on air conditioners. Using ceiling fans solely or coupled with AC can allow indoor temperatures to rise up to 28 degree C yet still have an indoor environment within the comfort zone due to the increased air velocity. This is practical if there is no humidity. Fans also enable individual control of thermal comfort levels which studies show improve occupancy rates and satisfaction.
Shading
Providing plants with shade protects them and leads to less watering.
Mulching
Mulching and composting conserve moisture/water and also help build good soil.
Mulching
Mulching and composting conserve moisture/water and also help build good soil.
Abstract Contour Lines
Land can be contoured so that irrigation/rain water runoff flows through all planted vegetation ensuring efficient use of water supply.
Land contouring
Land can be contoured so that irrigation/rain water runoff flows through all planted vegetation ensuring efficient use of water supply.
Sustainable building projects can reduce their potable water consumption by designing and installing plumbing systems that can use captured greywater in flush fixtures or provide greywater for landscape irrigation. Dubai Municipality’s Al Sa’fat’s Gold certification requires 15% of onsite greywater to be reused, while the Platinum certification requires 30% reuse of onsite greywater – consult the Dubai Al Sa’fat Rating System and Estidama regulations for more information regarding the installment of residential greywater systems.
Shading
Provide vertical shading for windows located on east and west facing walls, and horizontal shading for windows located on south facing walls.
Shading
Provide vertical shading for windows located on east and west facing walls, and horizontal shading for windows located on south facing walls.
Shading
Provide vertical shading for windows located on east and west facing walls, and horizontal shading for windows located on south facing walls.
Shading
Provide vertical shading for windows located on east and west facing walls, and horizontal shading for windows located on south facing walls.
Shading
Provide vertical shading for windows located on east and west facing walls, and horizontal shading for windows located on south facing walls.
Solar Orientation:
Optimize your building’s orientation to maximize south and north facades and reduce exposure to direct solar gain on east and west facades. Locating windows on north-facing walls optimizes natural daylight without the glare that comes from direct sunlight. It also minimizes solar heat gain.
Solar Orientation & Heat Gain
A discrete distribution of functional zones in the office building can minimize undesirable heat gain. For example, designing thermal buffer zones on the periphery (such as an entrance lobby) will protect main central spaces from overheating.
Climate Efficient Window Graphic Example
Solar Orientation & Heat Gain
A discrete distribution of functional zones in the office building can minimize undesirable heat gain. For example, designing thermal buffer zones on the periphery (such as an entrance lobby) will protect main central spaces from overheating.
Solar Panels on Rooftop
Generating onsite energy using sunlight, through solar Photovoltaic systems is an effective means to reducing demand by meeting part or all of a building’s energy needs. In 2016, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority launched the Shams Initiative which encourages household and building owners to install PV panels to generate electricity. To learn more visit Shams Dubai.
When building a new home, it is recommended to allocate space at roof level for future installation of renewable energy equipment.
Green Roof
Green roofs are supported by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Government. A few consultants/contractors in the UAE offer green roof services. Green roofs help with reducing heat gain, adding insulation, storm water management, and can use recycled water from air-conditioning condensate.
As per Al Safat rating system, green roofs must be irrigated using non-potable water or drip/subsoil water delivery system.
Green Roof
Green roofs are supported by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Government. A few consultants/contractors in the UAE offer green roof services. Green roofs help with reducing heat gain, adding insulation, storm water management, and can use recycled water from air-conditioning condensate.
As per Al Safat rating system, green roofs must be irrigated using non-potable water or drip/subsoil water delivery system.
Indoor Lighting
A well-designed office building with ample natural lighting is estimated to reduce lighting energy use by 10% to 20% from a non green building (ASHRAE baseline 90.1-2004);
Indoor Lighting
A well-designed office building with ample natural lighting is estimated to reduce lighting energy use by 10% to 20% from a non green building (ASHRAE baseline 90.1-2004);
Rooftop Unit
Rooftop Unit
Rooftop Unit
Rooftop Unit
Rooftop Unit
Rooftop Unit
Rooftop Unit
Solar Hot Water Systems
Switching from an electric water heater to a solar water heater can save 3.6 kWh per person per day.
Insulate solar water tank and hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
Solar Hot Water Systems
Switching from an electric water heater to a solar water heater can save 3.6 kWh per person per day.
Insulate solar water tank and hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
Solar Hot Water Systems
Switching from an electric water heater to a solar water heater can save 3.6 kWh per person per day.
Insulate solar water tank and hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
HVAC Heat Reuse
Mechanisms such as Heat recovery wheels (systems) provide a low cost solution to managing humidity and heat. A heat recovery wheel traps cold air that is being expelled from the ventilation system and turns its energy back around, mixing it with incoming hot air from the outside and cooling it as a result. This simple but efficient technology can substantially reduce the demand for energy to cool a building. Heat recovery wheels can also be used in reverse order when hot energy from expelled hot exhaust air needs to be turned back around inside the building. In addition, Heat/Energy recovery systems are required by the Dubai Al Sa’fat Rating System under section 502.10.
Rooftop Unit
Solar Photo Voltaic Parking Shade
Covered car parks can also prevent the heat-island effect by reflecting heat before it reaches the ground. In addition, the roofs of these structures provide ample surface area for the installation of solar panels.
Solar Photo Voltaic Parking Shade
Covered car parks can also prevent the heat-island effect by reflecting heat before it reaches the ground. In addition, the roofs of these structures provide ample surface area for the installation of solar panels.
Rooftop Unit
Air-conditioners account for 60-80% of a building’s energy consumption. Regular manufacturer-recommended commissioning of residential AC systems prevents energy wastage from appliances working in unsatisfactory condition and can increase their lifespan prevent premature and costly breakdowns.
Thermostat
Maintaining your air-conditioner’s temperature at 24 degree C reduces pressure on cooling units, reduces monthly bills, and in turn reduces carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
Water Pipes
Insulate all chilled water pipes and all air-conditioing ducts with appropriate insulation materials to minimise heat loss. Additionally, insulate roof and external walls (if possible) to reduce heat gain and lower cooling demand.