Applying the Passivhaus standard to a terraced house in a hot and humid tropical climate – Evaluation of comfort and energy performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-260
Author(s):  
Roy Candra Sigalingging ◽  
David Chow ◽  
Steve Sharples
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Humid Tropical Climate ◽  
Air Temperatures

In a hot and humid tropical climate, natural ventilation brings high levels of moisture into dwellings that, together with occupant activity, can result in very elevated internal relative humidity levels. Coupling these high relative humidities with high internal air temperatures creates occupant thermal discomfort, which is typically ameliorated in the tropics using energy-intensive air conditioning systems. This paper has investigated the potential benefits for thermal comfort and energy usage of applying the German Passivhaus standard to tropical dwellings. By creating a super insulated and air-tight envelope, the Passivhaus standard reduces fabric heat transfer, controls air infiltration and provides low-energy comfort. Applying this approach to a tropical terraced house might be effective but could, potentially, have an adverse impact on mechanical cooling demand. This study took an actual terraced property in Jakarta, Indonesia and thermally modelled its performance as insulation and airtightness levels were incrementally improved up to the Passivhaus standard. Field measurements in the dwelling of air temperature and relative humidity were used to validate the thermal model of the existing house. The validated model then tested the feasibility of meeting the Passivhaus energy standard for cooling in the modified tropical house. Simulation allowed the effects of air conditioning (AC) and dehumidifiers on thermal comfort and cooling loads to be investigated. The research develop the Passivhaus building model that had the floor insulation removed to let the ground floor act as a thermal sink and potentially provide radiant cooling. Analysis revealed that the building’s predicted air temperatures were affected in a beneficial way by having the Passivhaus without floor insulation. Practical application: Cooling in hot and humid tropical region is an energy-intensive approach. Design approaches that can bring comfort and save energy for the occupant are essential. The success of Passivhaus standard in mild climate might be transferable to bring comfort in tropical housing. Best practice can be developed by analysing the Passivhaus building performance in hot and humid tropical region.

scholarly journals Hygrothermal study of dwelling submitted to passive cooling

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (6 Part A) ◽  
pp. 2597-2604
Author(s):  
Razika Kharchi ◽  
Khaled Imessad
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Passive Cooling ◽  
Free Cooling ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
Good Agreement

A significant portion of energy consumed in buildings is due to energy usage by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Free cooling is a good option for energy savings in the systems. In recent years, scientists, engineers, and architects designed successful and innovative buildings which use passive cooling techniques, such as natural ventilation. The house studied in the present work, is a pilot project undertaken jointly by the Centre for Development of Renewable Energies (CDER) and the National Centre for Studies and Research of the integrated building (CNERIB) in the framework of the MED-ENEC project (Mediterranean Energy Efficiency in Construction structure). The house under consideration has a surface area of 65 m2 and is located in the region of Algiers which characterized by a Mediterranean climate with relatively mild winters and a hot and humid summer. The aim of this work is to study the thermal comfort inside the house in summer without air conditioning systems, only ventilation is considered. The aim of this work is to study the effect of natural ventilation on both thermal and hygrometric comfort inside the house during the summer period. Numerical simulation is made using the TRNSYS software and the results obtained are in good agreement with measured values. The prototype home is designed in a way that natural ventilation allows thermal comfort which induced energy saving from air conditioning. The mean temperature measured in the interior of the house is 26?C. The relative humidity reaches about 70% in August. Thermal comfort is related to relative humidity that are the essential parameters of the feeling of comfort. Humidity is an important parameter in thermal comfort, it is why we can conclude that we have reached a relatively good hygrothermal comfort.

scholarly journals A Literature Review of Naturally Ventilated Public Hospital Wards in Tropical Climate Countries for Thermal Comfort and Energy Saving Improvements

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Noor Muhammad Abd Rahman ◽  
Lim Chin Haw ◽  
Ahmad Fazlizan
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Innovative Solution

The tropical climate with its high average temperatures throughout the year affects the thermal comfort of buildings, especially for naturally ventilated spaces. The government’s move to turn hospitals into green buildings is seen in line with the global commitment to conserve the environment and the country’s current policy of supporting sustainable development. To achieve this goal, energy efficiency and thermal comfort need to be given priority in the focus on hospital planning and implementation for a better quality of the indoor environment. This literature review has led to the need to improve thermal comfort in natural ventilated wards in government hospitals. Some wards are built without air conditioning to save on construction costs, reduce utility costs through low energy consumption, as well as the need for infection control and airborne infections. However, current climate change requires a special study of thermal comfort in wards that use natural ventilation. An innovative solution is proposed to solve the problem statement identified in the reviewed literature through the application of solar PV/T systems and heat pumps. This hybrid system re-uses the heat energy (cogeneration) generated from solar PV panels to be cooled by heat pumps and is then pumped into the ward for cooling purposes. The proposed system has the potential to improve thermal comfort in natural ventilation wards and increase efficiency of the solar PV system for optimal electricity generation as well as improve the overall energy performance of buildings through low-energy cooling systems. It is not only solving the thermal comfort issue but also avoid the use of extra energy for cooling by optimizing the renewable energy.

scholarly journals Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Typical Mediterranean House

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3311
Author(s):  
Víctor Pérez-Andreu ◽  
Carolina Aparicio-Fernández ◽  
José-Luis Vivancos ◽  
Javier Cárcel-Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Characterization ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Dwelling House ◽  
Account Standard

The number of buildings renovated following the introduction of European energy-efficiency policy represents a small number of buildings in Spain. So, the main Spanish building stock needs an urgent energy renovation. Using passive strategies is essential, and thermal characterization and predictive tests of the energy-efficiency improvements achieving acceptable levels of comfort for their users are urgently necessary. This study analyzes the energy performance and thermal comfort of the users in a typical Mediterranean dwelling house. A transient simulation has been used to acquire the scope of Spanish standards for its energy rehabilitation, taking into account standard comfort conditions. The work is based on thermal monitoring of the building and a numerical validated model developed in TRNSYS. Energy demands for different models have been calculated considering different passive constructive measures combined with real wind site conditions and the behavior of users related to natural ventilation. This methodology has given us the necessary information to decide the best solution in relation to energy demand and facility of implementation. The thermal comfort for different models is not directly related to energy demand and has allowed checking when and where the measures need to be done.

scholarly journals THERMAL COMFORT AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT IN MALAYSIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Aziah Mohd Ariffin
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Data Monitoring ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Residential Energy ◽  
Passive Design ◽  
Design Systems

In hot-humid Malaysia, there are around five million units of housing. Among these, the medium-density terraced are the most built. However, little emphasis was given to designing for thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Consequently, air-conditioning is ubiquitous with ever-rising residential energy consumption. This paper studied passive design systems to improve living conditions and conserve energy through orientation and insulation parameters for terraced housing. Utilizing a triangulation of methods to correlate between thermal comfort and energy performance, findings from the questionnaire survey, data monitoring and computer simulation contended that with the passive design strategies minimum thermal comfort is attainable and energy savings predicted.

A Review of the Impact of Vegetation in Solar Control towards Enhanced Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Buildings

2019 ◽  
Vol 887 ◽  
pp. 428-434
Author(s):  
Dorcas A. Ayeni ◽  
Olaniyi O. Aluko ◽  
Morisade O. Adegbie
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Indoor Climate ◽  
Solar Control ◽  
The Impact

Man requires a thermal environment that is within the range of his adaptive capacity and if this fluctuates outside the normal, a reaction is required beyond its adaptive capacity which results to health challenges. Therefore, the aim of building design in the tropical region is to minimize the heat gain indoors and enhance evaporative cooling of the occupants of the space so as to achieve thermal comfort. In most cases, the passive technologies are not adequate in moderating indoor climate for human comfort thereby relying on active energy technique to provide the needed comfort for the building users. The need for the use of vegetation as a panacea for achieving comfortable indoor thermal conditions in housing is recognised by architects globally. However, the practice by architects in Nigeria is still at the lower ebb. The thrust of this paper therefore is to examine the impact of vegetation in solar control reducing thermal discomfort in housing thereby enhancing the energy performance of the buildings. Using secondary data, the paper identifies the benefits of vegetation in and around buildings to include improvement of indoor air quality through the aesthetics quality of the environment and concludes that vegetation in and around building will in no small measure contributes to saving energy consumption.

scholarly journals BIM-based framework to analyze the effect of natural ventilation on thermal comfort and energy performance in buildings

2019 ◽  
Vol 158 ◽  
pp. 3319-3324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J.L. Gan ◽  
M. Deng ◽  
Y. Tan ◽  
W. Chen ◽  
Jack C.P. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Energy Performance

Climatic Strategies of Indoor Thermal Environment for Residential Buildings in Yangtze River Region, China

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baizhan Li ◽  
Wei Yu ◽  
Meng Liu ◽  
Nan Li
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Yangtze River ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
River Region ◽  
Climatic Adaptability

Yangtze River Valley is situated within the Hot Summer and Cold Winter zone, and residents in this region of China would require HVAC system to alleviate thermal comfort conditions, although this is tempered by the Design Code (DBJ50-071-2007) for energy efficiency. A 1-year survey of about 200 residential homes was carried out in eight cities covering the breadth of the region. The acceptable temperature range for the residents in this area was 16.3—28.1°C and the thermal neutral temperature was found to be 27.6°C in summers and 17.5°C in winters. People in different area can vary in their adaptability and comfortableness. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the national comfort parameter introduced in the Code for Design of Heating and Ventilation and Air Conditioning (GB50019-2003). The results found that if air-conditioning system was set to 27.5°C instead of 26°C as required by GBJ19-87: Design Standard of Heating and Ventilation and Air Conditioning, a 16.5% saving of energy consumption could be achieved. The findings demonstrated the role of natural ventilation in the expansion of the thermal comfort zone for the residents, especially during the summer seasons. A climatic adaptability model has been established by this study to contribute to the passive climatic design strategies for a better economic and energy efficiency of buildings.

scholarly journals Numerical Assessment of Zebra-Stripes-Based Strategies in Buildings Energy Performance: A Case Study under Tropical Climate

Biomimetics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Miguel Chen Austin ◽  
Kevin Araque ◽  
Paola Palacios ◽  
Katherine Rodríguez Maure ◽  
Dafni Mora
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Heat Dissipation ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Numerical Assessment ◽  
Lower Temperature

Urban growth has increased the risk of over-heating both in the microclimate and inside buildings, affecting thermal comfort and energy efficiency. That is why this research aims to evaluate the energy performance of buildings in terms of thermal comfort (operative temperature (OP) levels, satisfied hours of natural ventilation SHNV, thermal lag), and energy efficiency (roof heat gains and surface temperatures) in an urban area in Panama City, using superficial-heat-dissipation biomimetic strategies. Two case studies, a base case and a proposed case, were evaluated using the Designbuilder software through dynamic simulation. The proposed case is based on a combined biomimetic strategy; the reflective characteristics of the Saharan ant applied as a coating on the roofs through a segmented pattern such as the Zebra’s stripes (one section with coating, and another without). Results showed that the OP decreased from 8 to 10 °C for the entire urban zone throughout the year. A reduction of 3.13% corresponding to 8790 kWh per year was achieved for cooling energy consumption. A difference of 5 °C in external surface temperature was obtained, having a lower temperature in which the biomimetic strategy was applied. Besides, it was evidenced that a contrasted-reflectivity-stripes pitched roof performed better than a fully reflective roof. Thus, the functionality of Zebra stripes, together with the reflective characteristics of the Saharan ant, provide better performance for buildings’ thermal regulation and energy needs for cooling.

scholarly journals The THE EFFECT OF HUMID TROPICAL CLIMATE ON FRICTION CHARACTERISTIC OF PNEUMATIC CYLINDERS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Thuy Nguyen ◽  
Van Hung Pham
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Friction Force ◽  
Static Friction ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Pneumatic Cylinder ◽  
Friction Characteristic ◽  
Humid Tropical Climate ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Climatic Environment ◽  
Pneumatic Cylinders

The pneumatic cylinder is influenced by many various factors at work, including the climate environment. The climatic environment consists of two characteristic factors as temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), which change according to seasons and different geographical regions. Therefore, changing the climate characteristic factors will affect the friction characteristic of pneumatic cylinders when operating at different speeds. This article presents empirical research on the simultaneous effects of temperature and relative humidity of the environment with the humid tropical climate in Vietnam on the pneumatic cylinder's friction properties. According to experimental planning, the studies were conducted on industrial pneumatic cylinders with two input factors: the temperature of 150C, 320C and 490C and relative humidity of 51%, 75% and 99%, with velocities of 30, 50 and 100 mm/s. The results show that the static friction force and dynamic friction decrease when T, RH increases, and the influence of air relative humidity on friction force is more significant than temperature. The experiment also gives an empirical regression equation on the relationship of friction in the pneumatic cylinder, depending on the two factors of temperature and relative humidity of the humid tropical climate in Vietnam with velocities of 30, 50 and 100 mm/s.

Effective Mixed-Mode Ventilation System With Intermittent Personalized Ventilation for Improving Thermal Comfort in an Office Space

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvire Katramiz ◽  
Nesreen Ghaddar ◽  
Kamel Ghali
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Mixed Mode ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Performance Simulation ◽  
Office Space ◽  
Personalized Ventilation

Abstract The mixed-mode ventilation (MMV) system is an energy-friendly ventilation technique that combines natural ventilation (NV) with mechanical air conditioning (AC). It draws in fresh air when the outdoor conditions are favorable or activates otherwise the AC system during occupancy hours. To improve performance of the MMV system, it is proposed to integrate it with an intermittent personalized ventilation (IPV) system. IPV delivers cool clean air intermittently to the occupant and enhances occupant thermal comfort. With the proper ventilation control strategy, IPV can aid MMV by increasing NV mode operational hours, and improve the energy performance of the AC system by relaxing the required macroclimate set point temperature. The aim of this work is to study the IPV+MMV system performance for an office space application in terms of thermal comfort and energy savings through the implementation of an appropriate control strategy. A validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of an office space equipped with IPV is used to assess the thermal fields in the vicinity of an occupant. It is then coupled with a transient bio-heat and comfort models to find the overall thermal comfort levels. Subsequently, a building-performance simulation study is performed using Integrated Environmental Solutions-Virtual Environment (IES-VE) for an office in Beirut, Lebanon for the typical summer month of July. An energy analysis is conducted to predict the savings of the suggested design in comparison to the conventional AC system. Results showed that the use of IPV units and MMV significantly reduced the number of AC operation hours while providing thermal comfort.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document