Energy Efficient Buildings in Tropical Climate Through Passive Techniques- An Overview

Abstract

The geometric increase in energy consumption in buildings due to high living standards, display of wealth and affluence and increase in population has resulted in energy crises and series of environmental problems such as sudden rise in temperature in urban areas, risk of global warming, climate change and co₂ emissions. Architects and builders hence have a role in mitigating these effects through the reduction of energy consumption in buildings. This has informed various studies on climate responsive designs or what is referred to as passive cooling of buildings. Passive cooling (designs) refers to design features or technology used in heating or cooling buildings naturally without energy consumption; it takes full advantage of the micro climate by using climate responsive design parameters. Passive cooling of buildings if properly imbibed is a significant way by which energy efficiency can be ensured in buildings.This paper therefore critically reviews and analyses the various passive cooling techniques that could be adopted in the tropical climate to achieve desirable thermal comfort in buildings and factors affecting their choice of selection; with a view to contributing to the development of guidelines on how to mitigate the effect of climate change especially in Nigeria, as well as in the tropical regions.

Keywords: passive cooling, techniques, climate responsive designs, energy consumption, energy efficiency, Thermal comforts.