Improving Thermal Comfort Through Natural Ventilation and Passive Solar Systems in Residential Buildings in Iraq: Review Paper

Author(s):  
Mustafa Abdulmunem Saleh Al Mohsen ◽  
Sumarni Ismail ◽  
Ida Suriana Ismail
2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baizhan Li ◽  
Wei Yu ◽  
Meng Liu ◽  
Nan Li

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. p1
Author(s):  
Jad Hammoud ◽  
Elise Abi Rached

The increasing of energy demands has considerably increased the requirements for new and traditional buildings in different climate zones. Unprecedented heat waves have increased climate temperature, in particular, in moderate climate zones such as Lebanon. In Beirut, only the residential sector consumes 50% of total electricity consumption. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning) systems are used to reach acceptable thermal comfort levels in the new residential buildings. In case of the traditional bourgeoisie houses in Beirut, there are no discussions about the use of HVAC systems to achieve the required thermal comfort level. Thus, to reach an acceptable thermal comfort level, these houses which already contain natural ventilation system shall adapt the modern thermal comfort requirements and thermal comfort strategies and technologies where their architectural features and existing materials condition the available solutions. In order to identify the best options within the possible intervention lines (envelopes, passive strategies, equipment, renewable energy systems), it is necessary to perceive the real performance of this type of houses. In this context, the article presents the results of the study of thermal performance and comfort in a three case studies located in Beirut. Detailed field data records collected are analyzed, with a view to identify the indoor thermal environment with respect to outdoor thermal environment in different seasons. Monitoring also included measurement of hygrothermal parameters and surveys of occupant thermal sensation.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Nermine Hany ◽  
Hala Alaa

Background: Bioclimatic design is an approach based on local climate which improves thermal qualities and indoor comfort. Buildings follow this process to minimize negative effects on the environment. However, this approach is still not suitable in developed countries. This study aims to investigate Mediterranean local bioclimatic strategies’ impact on thermal comfort efficiency in housing, by examining architectural elements and treatments. Methods: We adopted a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology, complemented with a software simulation, within a qualitative and quantitative approach. Investigation and methodological tools were based on technical information including plans, elevations, photos, and documentation. The approach consisted of multiple stages: a literature review interpreting the concept of bioclimatic design, as well as thermal comfort variables and common Mediterranean building features. Moreover, the paper showcases three examples of successful Mediterranean passive houses. Furthermore, the paper presents a case- studyhouse in Alex West, Alexandria, designed in the Mediterranean Revival style. Results: The results showed that the most influencing building features on thermal comfort were the low-pitched roofs and the top chimney, which achieved 12.6% and 5% improvement in the summer and 13% and 6.8% in winter, respectively. The pergola and porch elements barely had an effect when placed on the northern façade. However, on the southern façade, a positive contribution in the summer by 1.4% and 3.4% respectively were reported, but a slight negative impact in winter by 0.5% and 2% respectively. Conclusions:  We examined the impact of common Mediterranean building features , and compared thermal comfort results between case-study houses. Features focusing on passive design for cooling rather than heating, allowing wind flow for maximized natural ventilation, using ventilated pitched roof spaces, using sun shading elements in the proper facades and angles, help passive thermal regulation. The study proposes recommendations for optimizing thermal comfort in residential buildings in Alexandria, Egypt.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim. H Tawil ◽  
Mukhtar Abeid ◽  
Ezuldeen B Abraheem ◽  
Samah K Alghoul ◽  
Elhadi I Dekam

This review paper focuses on documenting and studying published papers and works in the field of solar heating and cooling air space in residential buildings. The goal of this survey and documentation is to find out the most important flashing results and conclusions specifically in fields of using solar energy for space heating, cooling and ventilation of local residential buildings in Libya. This covers using active and passive solar systems in, achieving thermal human comfort in such buildings leading to reduce electrical energy consumption. This paper also concentrates on applying energy efficiency measures in buildings; planning, design, and construction stages with the use of the principles of energy conservation in buildings. There are several studies comparing traditional with modern house designs in several local cities including both famous old cities of “Ghadames” and “Gharyan”. Several conclusions and recommendations are summarized within the text of this paper.


2016 ◽  
Vol 824 ◽  
pp. 278-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flóra Szkordilisz ◽  
Márton Kiss

According to the EPBD (2010) whilst improving the thermal performance of buildings good or at least tolerable thermal comfort conditions must be provided. But better thermal insulation and more airtight buildings increase the risk of summer overheating which makes mechanical cooling inevitable. This idea has been verified by the tendency of the last decade, when people were willing to install and use more frequently air conditioning devices during the summer heatwaves – increasing their energy consumption and electricity bills at the same time. We cannot neglect the importance of studies triggering an efficient way to minimise the cooling load of residential buildings by obstructing solar radiation. The usage of plants in front of transparent surfaces of the façade can avoid indoor overheating. Deciduous plants obstruct buildings’ solar access so that the microclimate around the building is improved too. The use of Green Infrastructure in different levels of planning processes, which would provide sustainable solutions for urban management, is also prescribed in the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020. Of course in order to investigate the actual effect of trees on indoor thermal comfort we should take into consideration a list of other factors: such as orientation the type and thermal properties of the windows / transparent structures used, and the thermal transmittance values and heat storage capacity of the building. If we have taken into consideration the mentioned factors during simulation we can prove the effectiveness of vegetation for each case. Simulations are made on the base of transparency measurements carried out during the summer of 2014. The shading efficiency of trees is a species-specific attribute because of the varying crown structure and leaf density. Our analyses aimed at the quantification of the transmissivity of characteristic individuals of three frequently planted species (Celtis occidentalis, Sophora japonica, Tilia cordata). The measured data were the amount of transmitted shortwave radiation, compared with a measurement point under unobstructed sunlight. In preliminary studies we have shown that depending on species – a tree in front of the façade can decrease the solar gain on internal horizontal surface up to ~18-30 per cents. As the tree obstructs the solar access of the wall and that of transparent surfaces, a difference in indoor comfort is to be observed too.


Author(s):  
Atefeh Tamaskani Esfahankalateh ◽  
Mohammad Farrokhzad ◽  
Ommid Saberi ◽  
Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini

Abstract Air movement affects thermal comfort both by increasing evaporative loss through the skin and heat transfer between the body and surrounding environment through convection. Generally, in cold climates, it is best to avoid wind to better control the thermal environment. However, crafted passive airflow is essential for providing fresh air and natural ventilation at certain times of year. The use of a window of the right size and location in a cold climate is also indispensable. In this study, the wind speed was calculated for the height of a residential building in the city of Tabriz. A computational fluid dynamics simulation was used to calculate the inflow air speed for each window and the comfort conditions were compared. The findings determined the months where window openings can be used to enhance thermal comfort. The analysis shows how the direction and shape of the window play a major role in directing outdoor air flow indoors at the right time in the right quantity. East- and west-facing windows are most favorable and north- and south-facing windows can only be used in some months. This shows how building designers can quantify the effect of window design in each climate for the occupant’s comfort.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
Afet Çeliker

Sustainable architecture is a well-known and studied subject for severeal decades. The environmental awareness of professionals has put sustainability in the center of the profession of architecture and has resulted in introducing and implementing ecological designs both in the scale of buildings and cities. This article presents sustainable architecture criteria, reckons regional aspects, interprets vernacular architecture and, proposes sustainable housing unit models for Mediterranean region, specifically Cyprus. The article intends to study existing researches regarding the subject, reveals and updates key aspects on sustainable housing by focusing on the passive solar systems through proposals. The article contains proposals of an experimental and conceptual approach of a group of graduate studio course students who are architects and interior designers. The conceptual approaches of design proposals are sustainable through the usage of local materials, orientation, usage of passive solar systems, natural ventilation and lighting, hence these proposals are intended to create a diversity. In that sense, this article presents possibilities of ideal plan layouts and facades for sustainable architectural housing units in Mediterranean region, Cyprus, based on the revealed key aspects on sustainability. The originality of the article is on the design proposals that take inspiration from the characteristics of vernacular architecture, but show a contemporary approach of design.


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