Toward the design of zero energy buildings (ZEB) in Iran: Climatic study

In this research, a combination of passive and active methods is used to design a nearly zero energy building in four major climatic regions of Iran, including cold, mild, dry-warm, and wet-warm ones. The annual energy consumption analysis is performed using DesignBuilder® software. The passive strategies include Trombe Wall, blue roof, and thermochromic windows, and the active methods are using GSHP, LEDs with the linear controller, and photovoltaic systems. Also, the rainwater harvesting system is discussed, and the amount of rainfall which may be collected in different climates is summarized. The results show that Iran has a great potential to develop near zero energy buildings, especially in the cold region in which more than 60% reduction in annual energy consumption may be achievable.