4 Utilising Passive Design Strategies for Analysing Thermal …
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with leading to an unnecessary wastage of money. Bureau of Energy Efficiency
reports that buildings can potentially save up to almost 50% of the electricity (02
Energy and Buildings 2014).
The energy expenditure in buildings can be truncated to a large extent by putting
into practice measures such as climate responsive design, modifying the construction
of building, making use of local resources, etc. Such measures form a part of the
passive techniques in buildings, which do not rely on any supporting electrical or
mechanical systems. Apart from this, efficient space conditioning, or lighting systems
can be employed in buildings, as part of the active measures in buildings, which
involve the utilisation of building services systems.
Several studies have been carried out which focus on employing passive techniques to alleviate the energy expenditure. Sharma et al. evaluated the impact of the
orientation of the building on its energy expenditure (Sharma et al. 2015). One such
study by Kumar et al. focused on changing the construction material, the platform
area and the orientation of the building to examine their effect on the energy need
(Sushil Kumar et al. 2016). Another such study by Lee et al. concentrated on optimising a window system on the basis of its type and properties to examine their effects on
the total load of the building, including thermal and lighting, and thus minimizing it
(Lee et al. 2013). Such studies prove that implementing passive measures in buildings
as a first step has a lot of potential to curb the energy requirements in buildings, and
hence, such measures should be encouraged. However, employing such techniques,
should also have a positive effect on the comfort level of the occupants, apart from
its objective of saving energy in buildings. Therefore, the effect of the techniques
employed should be examined not only for the energy requirements of the building
but also for the comfort requirement of the occupants.
4.1.2 Meeting the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
In addition to meeting the energy requirements in a building, the indoor environment
should also meet the comfort criteria since it affects the health, comfort, safety
and productivity of the occupants, making it an intangible asset. It incorporates
distinct parameters such as air quality, odor, lighting, noise, and thermal comfort
(ISHRAE 2015). Fulfilling the requirements of the indoor environmental quality
leads to augmenting occupant’s life span, benefits the resale worth of the building,
and brings down the accountability and liability of the owners. Whilst the elements
of the IEQ should be restricted to their allowable limits, such as noise and odor,
there are still some facets which cannot be eluded, and thus, can only be regulated
according to the requirements. One of the parameters fitting to this description is the
thermal comfort, which also utilises a major portion of the electricity in buildings.
The aim of regulating the parameter implies optimising the conditions of the most
favorable environment for occupants within available funds and resources.
37
with leading to an unnecessary wastage of money. Bureau of Energy Efficiency
reports that buildings can potentially save up to almost 50% of the electricity (02
Energy and Buildings 2014).
The energy expenditure in buildings can be truncated to a large extent by putting
into practice measures such as climate responsive design, modifying the construction
of building, making use of local resources, etc. Such measures form a part of the
passive techniques in buildings, which do not rely on any supporting electrical or
mechanical systems. Apart from this, efficient space conditioning, or lighting systems
can be employed in buildings, as part of the active measures in buildings, which
involve the utilisation of building services systems.
Several studies have been carried out which focus on employing passive techniques to alleviate the energy expenditure. Sharma et al. evaluated the impact of the
orientation of the building on its energy expenditure (Sharma et al. 2015). One such
study by Kumar et al. focused on changing the construction material, the platform
area and the orientation of the building to examine their effect on the energy need
(Sushil Kumar et al. 2016). Another such study by Lee et al. concentrated on optimising a window system on the basis of its type and properties to examine their effects on
the total load of the building, including thermal and lighting, and thus minimizing it
(Lee et al. 2013). Such studies prove that implementing passive measures in buildings
as a first step has a lot of potential to curb the energy requirements in buildings, and
hence, such measures should be encouraged. However, employing such techniques,
should also have a positive effect on the comfort level of the occupants, apart from
its objective of saving energy in buildings. Therefore, the effect of the techniques
employed should be examined not only for the energy requirements of the building
but also for the comfort requirement of the occupants.
4.1.2 Meeting the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
In addition to meeting the energy requirements in a building, the indoor environment
should also meet the comfort criteria since it affects the health, comfort, safety
and productivity of the occupants, making it an intangible asset. It incorporates
distinct parameters such as air quality, odor, lighting, noise, and thermal comfort
(ISHRAE 2015). Fulfilling the requirements of the indoor environmental quality
leads to augmenting occupant’s life span, benefits the resale worth of the building,
and brings down the accountability and liability of the owners. Whilst the elements
of the IEQ should be restricted to their allowable limits, such as noise and odor,
there are still some facets which cannot be eluded, and thus, can only be regulated
according to the requirements. One of the parameters fitting to this description is the
thermal comfort, which also utilises a major portion of the electricity in buildings.
The aim of regulating the parameter implies optimising the conditions of the most
favorable environment for occupants within available funds and resources.