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Optimization of Building Envelope to Reduce Air Conditioning

Publication Type : Journal Article

Publisher : Indian Journal of Science and Technology.

Source : Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Volume 9, Issue 4, Number 4 (2016)

Url : http://www.indjst.org/index.php/indjst/article/view/79072

Keywords : Energy consumption, Green Buildings, Solar radiation, Sustainable Architecture.

Campus : Coimbatore

School : Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering

Department : Aerospace

Year : 2016

Abstract : Background/Objectives: Air conditioning in tropical buildings constitutes a major component towards the total energy consumption. General guidelines for reducing the incident solar radiation on the building envelope are available in literature. However information on the reduction in energy requirement is not readily available. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Reduction in energy requirement by varying the building planform, orientation and construction materials was studied. Findings: A building with a planform area close to the Golden Ratio and with the broader side facing North, resulted in the least amount of solar radiation on the surface of the building envelope. Further the white coloured buildings made of rammed walls and roof material with longer phase lag decrease the heat transfer into the buildings. Conclusion: The building orientation and planform are crucial in reducing the incident solar radiation on the building envelope surface. Use of white colour and materials like rammed earth for walls resulted in substantial reduction of the required cooling loads to maintain the indoor thermal comfort temperature.

Cite this Research Publication : Wg. Cdr. (Retd.) Sushil Kumar T. V. K., Chandrasekar, J., Moorthy, S. Kumar, Sakthikala, A., and Bharath, S. R. Arvind, “Optimization of Building Envelope to Reduce Air Conditioning”, Indian Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 9, no. 4, 2016.

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