Thermal comfort in proposed three-storey passive houses for warm humid climates

Abstract

Electricity, which is the backbone of the industrial sector, plays a vital role in the development of a country. In Sri Lanka an adequate increase in the supply of electricity to meet the rising demand is unlikely to materialize, and therefore the price of electricity can be expected to rise in the future, resulting in a corresponding rise in the operating cost of houses. This paper explores the possibility of adopting environmentally friendly passive techniques to inhibit the thermal discomfort experienced in houses, and proposes the three-storey house as the best type because of its superior thermal performance over two- or single-storey houses. By means of modelling of a proposed three-storey passive house using the DEROB-LTH simulation tool, it shows that proper incorporation of passive features can lower the indoor temperature in certain cases by as much as 6°C. It highlights the economic benefits of the adoption of passive concepts, both at user level and to lesser degree at national level, and the sustainable development that results in minimizing the degradation of the environment.