Efficient and economical multi-storey buildings for Sri Lanka : pt. I: energy efficieny using passive solar techniques

Abstract

The role of passive solar buildings, which utilises the energy of the sun together with the characteristics of the local climates through certain number of passive elements, is to maintain the thermal comfort within the built environments. Conservation of energy used for thermal comfort and lighting in the building sector using passive solar techniques has both short and long term benefits. In short term, passive solar buildings can mean lower capital cost due to smaller equipment and in the longer run, the life cycle cost of the buildings would be lower It is a primary requirement in buildings to provide visual, thermal and acoustic comfort. The desirable levels of these comforts are generally achieved by using energy, where there would be only a few buildings where the usage of energy is optimised. In Western Europe, a massive 52% of energy delivered is consumed to maintain acceptable environmental conditions within buildings (Clark and Maver, 1991). In Thaiwan, more than 30% of the total electrical power of the country is consumed by residential and commercial sectors. Out of this, 40% is for providing lighting, 40% for air-conditioning and 20% for other functions (Yang and Hwang, 1993). In Sri Lanka, the commercial sector consume about 20% of the total energy dema