A comparison of energy consumption and cost-effectiveness of four masonry materials in Saudi Arabia

The computer code DOE-2 was used to simulate the energy consumption of four types of model houses constructed of clay bricks, concrete blocks, sandlime bricks, and prefabricated walls. It was found that a house built of clay bricks consumes 16, 23 and 25% less than one built of concrete blocks, sandlime bricks or prefabricated concrete walls, respectively. Assuming that the initial investment equals the material cost plus the cost of the air-conditioning equipment, a house built of clay bricks costs 13% less than one built of concrete blocks, 34% less than one built of sandlime bricks and 57% less than one built of prefabricated concrete walls.