Utility of Wind Catchers for Nocturnal Ventilation

Wind catcher systems have been employed in buildings in the Middle East for many centuries and they are known by different names in different parts of the region. Recently there has been an increase in the application of this approach for natural ventilation and passive cooling in the UK and other countries.

Particulate Matter Mass Concentration (PM10) under Different Ventilation Methods in Classrooms

Recently, studies have shown that the classroom environment is very important for students' health and performance. Thus, the evaluation of indoor air quality (IAQ) in a classroom is necessary to ensure students' well-being. In this paper the emphasis is on airborne concentration of particulate matter (PM) in adult education rooms. The mass concentration of PM10 particulates was measured in two classrooms under different ventilation methods in the University of Reading, UK, during the winter period of 2008.

Energy Efficiency Design for a House with Temporary Heating and Winter Daytime Cross Ventilation

According to the local climate in Auckland, New Zealand, a house does not normally need any active cooling controls such as air conditioning or ceiling fans during the summer. Temporary heating is mainly needed during the winter night. In addition, winter daytime window ventilation is required to remove moisture arising from daily occupant activities. A previous study (Su, 2008) showed that additional winter energy consumption is needed for space heating, for hot water heating and for other appliances that are impacted by the winter conditions.

Strategies for Natural Ventilation of Urban Office Buildings

The world urban population is expanding, resulting in taller buildings and increased building density. This paper describes a design approach for the natural ventilation of high-rise buildings based on a double façade structure in which an external cladding is used in conjunction with a central air-well with wind catcher ("hood").

The Design and Development of an Adaptable Modular Sustainable Commercial Building (Co2nserve) for Multiple Applications

Co2nserve is a commercially sponsored project aimed at developing a cost effective modular building that is able to meet sustainability, energy and carbon efficiency needs, and is adaptable to meet a wide range of occupancy applications. Building applications include light industrial production, warehousing, office accommodation, educational needs and health sector requirements. This paper describes the building development and design process. Maximum use is made of passive measures including natural ventilation, daylighting and natural cooling.

The Thermal Comfort of a Naturally Ventilated House resulting from the Evaporative Cooling of a Ceiling Fan in the Hot-Humid Climate of Chennai, India

In a hot-humid climate, comfort ventilation involving air movement over the skin of the human body is a prime consideration for thermal comfort. In developing countries with such a climate, the use of an air conditioner is not economically feasible by a majority of the population. Therefore, ceiling fan assisted cooling strategies hold significance. Fans increase the air movement inside rooms, thereby causing the layer of sweat over the occupant's body to evaporate. This paper aims to assess the evaporative cooling effect of a ceiling fan in a naturally ventilated house.

Investigating Natural Ventilation Inside Walk-Up Housing Blocks in the Egyptian Desert Climatic Design Region

This paper presents a study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of natural ventilation strategies used in government dwellings in the Egyptian desert climatic design region. Three government housing blocks, built in the New Al-Minya city, were employed as case studies. Autodesk-Ecotect and FloVent CFD software were used to simulate the internal air movement and air temperatures. Theoretical analysis shows that there is considerable cooling potential by natural ventilation, with the thermal comfort potential being improved by up to 52% peak and 33.5% average.

Solar Chimney Geometry for Stack Ventilation in a Warm Humid Climate

Natural ventilation is a well known strategy to improve indoor air velocity and reduce indoor temperature. It is the main criterion to achieve thermal comfort in terraced housing in Malaysia. In hot and humid climates, one drawback to single sided ventilation is that the wind effect is not well captured, which in turn, increases the use of mechanical cooling. Therefore, it is important to understand and consider the use of the solar chimney as a stack induced ventilation strategy for a single sided ventilated room.

The Role of Wind and Natural Ventilation in the Vernacular Architecture of Zavareh

The identification of effective factors in the historical formation of architecture can help develop architecture and its various aspects (Mofidi, 2005). These factors may be classified in the groups of cultural, historical and climatic. Specifically, the application of the native and traditional basis of past architecture can be highly significant for the improvement of contemporary architecture (Fathy, 1986).

The Applicability of Natural Ventilation - Technical Editorial

It is only comparatively recently, since the development of mechanical ventilation and refrigeration, that it has become possible to completely control the air quality and thermal environment inside buildings, irrespective of outdoor conditions. However, such control is an energy intensive process that requires reliable energy supply. Concerns about future security of conventional supply, combined with the impact of fossil fuel emissions on global warming, has resulted in renewed emphasis on building energy efficiency.

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