A field study on thermal comfort and cooling load demand optimization in a tropical climate

Esfandiari, Masoud and Mohamed Zaid, Noor Suzaini Mohamed and Ismail, Muhammad Azzam and Hafezi, Mohammad Reza and Asadi, Iman and Mohammadi, Saleh (2021) A field study on thermal comfort and cooling load demand optimization in a tropical climate. Sustainability, 13 (22). ISSN 2071-1050, DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212425.

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Abstract

Energy consumption to cool an indoor environment is a substantial part of total energy end-use, particularly in a tropical climate with high energy demand for cooling. To improve energy efficiency, cooling systems can be optimized using a variety of neutral indoor temperatures to maintain a balance between an occupant's thermal comfort and cooling energy demand. This explanatory study investigated the thermal quality and cooling energy demand of a Platinum-certified office building in the tropical climate of Malaysia. The investigation aimed to suggest a balance between occupant thermal comfort and cooling energy demand. The thermal investigation includes an objective field measurement that implements environmental equipment to monitor thermal quality and a subjective occupant's thermal feedback using a questionnaire survey. To calculate cooling energy demand, the total equivalent temperature difference method (TETD) is applied. The results suggested an occupant's cooling sensation of around 24 & DEG;C, with no significant difference concerning age and gender. Cooling load calculation indicated a 36% energy reduction by increasing air temperature to 26 & DEG;C, for occupants to feel thermally comfortable in a tropical climate. These findings contribute to improving sustainable energy policies, sustainable construction, and thermal comfort improvement for a tropical climate.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Malaysia's Ministry Of Higher Education Fundamental Research Grant Scheme [FRGS/1/2019/SSI11/UM/02/5]
Uncontrolled Keywords: Thermal quality; Cooling energy demand; Energy-efficient design; Tropical climate; Green building index
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Q Science > QH Natural history
Divisions: Faculty of the Built Environment
Faculty of the Built Environment > Department of Architecture
Depositing User: Ms Zaharah Ramly
Date Deposited: 13 Apr 2022 00:07
Last Modified: 13 Apr 2022 00:40
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/28168

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