The purpose of this study is to introduce a methodology to identify optimal energy performance packages at the lowest cost during the estimated economic lifecycle for a residential building located in the Mediterranean climate. The method is applied to a detached single one-story building and calculations are performed for three climatic zones of Jordan which are relatively different from each other consider national factors. The energy conservation measures investigated are: dimming lighting control, building orientations, glazing type and its configurations, indoor conditions, upgrading heating, ventilation, air conditioning system, thermal insulation, and resident behavior. It was found that the optimum energy savings at the lowest cost are: 30%, 23%, and 39% for the reference building located in Irbid, Ma'an, and Aqaba respectively. The cost-optimal point is well identified in a hot climate. Based on the results, the climatic characteristics is a very important parameter affecting the reference building definition procedure. Based on the results, the methodology is highly sensitivity to national factors and utility rates and slightly sensitive to the discount rates, cost calculation period, and development price.

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