Effect of Vernacular Materials and Traditional Construction Methods on Energy Consumption Reduction of Rural Houses in Plain Regions of Gilan

Gilan province has a rich and precious vernacular architecture, which takes place in perfect harmony with nature and local climate. The aim of this study is recognition of solutions of vernacular architecture and applying them in new architecture to reduce energy consumption and thus reduce the adverse effects of built environment on the natural habitat.
In orderto study the amount of energy consumption in vernacular rural houses of plain areas of Gilan using local and new material and methods, three types of vernacular houses in plain areas of Gilan(East, West and Central) are chosen, and their energy consumption using traditional and new materials are analyzed with simulation method.
Based on simulation results, the amount of energy consumption during a year in Rafiee, Amini and Mohtashamtalab house with local materials is 1176/842, 185/03, 164/02 kw/h less than the amount of energy consumption with new materials.
Discussion and Simulation results show that the amount of energy consumption in rural houses with local materials is significantly less than energy consumption using new materials. It shows that performance of Shakili foundation, Zegaly wall and Klushy roof in terms of the amount of heat exchange with the environment is more favorable than new materials and techniques.