Design for Energy Efficiency in Buildings in East Africa

ABSTRACT:

This paper summarizes and discusses the state, challenges and potential of design for energy efficiency in buildings with special focus in East Africa. The study explores measures that are applicable to mitigate and reduce the energy consumption in buildings. Previous studies in the energy efficiency in buildings in hot and humid climates used the PMV-Fanger Model as a reference for the indoor thermal comfort but field studies have shown that it does not adequately satisfy the requirements of thermal comfort in these regions. Comparative analysis on the performance of different building design parameters was used to investigate their influence on indoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency.

The study shows that, application and consideration of different design parameters have a potential for making a building more energy efficient. These design parameters have a potential of keeping the indoor thermal comfort of naturally ventilated building below the maximum limit of 80% acceptability for 90% of annual office working hours and reduce the annual cooling energy demand by 13% to 18%. From the analysis of parametric models, it can be concluded that design parameters have significant influence on the indoor thermal comfort and reduction of cooling energy demand for both naturally ventilated and air-conditioned building respectively. The use of various design parameters in buildings in a hot and humid climate is recommended as a means to regulate the indoor thermal comfort and lower the cooling energy demand.