Wind-sheltering effects of urban trees on the heating demand of building archetypes: A case study in Dublin

Source abstract

The residential sector accounts for over one-quarter of overall energy use in Ireland, making it the second-largest energy end-use behind transport. Reducing heat loss through infiltration is a critical component of building stock renovation, primarily driven by gaps in the building envelope and wind exposure. While the former can be managed through upgrades of construction, the latter can be improved through urban planning design to provide wind shelter. This study investigates the impact of urban trees on the heating energy demand of common building archetypes in Dublin, Ireland, focusing on the sheltering effects on heat loss driven by infiltration. Various tree design strategies are simulated to generate accurate weather conditions for building energy modelling. The results reveal that wind speed has a dominant influence on heat loss due to infiltration. Under windy conditions and for specific building archetypes, infiltration contributes up to 31.42% of heating demand. Within the scenarios examined, urban trees, particularly street tree configurations, are associated with reduced wind exposure and corresponding reductions in infiltration-driven heat loss of up to 6.15%. These results highlight the importance of urban evergreen trees in enhancing residential energy efficiency. This study provides valuable insights that are applicable to other urban areas with similar climatic conditions.