Finding the Best Orientation of the Educational Buildings in Hot Arid Regions in Iran, in order to achieve the Optimum Annual Energy Consumption, Using Computer Simulation (Case Study: a Double Class School in Zahedan)

School buildings forming a large part of the public buildings, are among the most important consumers of energy in Iran. Given the existing construction conditions, these buildings seem to have considerable potential for energy efficiency if the construction and design methods are reformed. Therefore, numerous researchers have analyzed geometrical factors influencing energy consumption in buildings, but few researchers have specifically and precisely studied building orientation. In this research, a two-classroom school with a simple and extendable plan, typical of hot and arid regions in Iran was studied. The objective is to conclude optimum orientation for minimum energy demand, taking into consideration the provision of a thermally comfortable environment inside. Building performance simulation (using Design Builder  software) was applied to support design optimization. To this end, 72 models were simulated in different directions with a 5-degree variance, and the 10-degree range of the minimum annual energy consumption was obtained. Afterward, the simulation with the 1-degree variance was repeated using the same range and the results were compared. Finally, it was suggested that the model with the orientation of 109  degrees longitudinal yields the minimum energy consumption. Other methods of saving energy in this region were also discussed.  Consequently, the comparison of the results revealed that the effect of building orientation on reducing annual energy consumption in Zahedan is noticeable, considering the number of typical buildings and life span of the buildings.