Rezumat/Abstract. Enhancing energy efficiency in buildings is crucial to addressing climate change and resource scarcity, particularly in developing regions where energy standards are often insufficient. This study examines how occupant behavior influences the energy performance of residential buildings, focusing on nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) in a dry climate city. The research follows three phases: first, an empirical study collected occupant behavior data and on-site energy performance metrics. These findings informed the development and validation of a simulation model using Energy Plus 9.2. The building envelope was optimized following Appendix RC of the IECC, and a solar thermal system for domestic hot water and heating was pre-dimensioned. Finally, three occupancy profiles—efficient (PE), medium (PM), and inefficient (PP)-were defined to assess their impact. Results show that PE reduced primary energy consumption by 70%, achieving a net energy balance of 65.33 kWh/m²/year, while PM and PP increased consumption by 20% and 174%. These findings highlight the critical role of occupant behavior in optimizing energy performance and addressing variability in nZEB design in resource-constrained contexts.

Cuvinte cheie/Key words: nearly-zero energy buildings, simulation modeling, developing regions, occupant behavior, energy performance

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