Utilisation of Mass and Night Ventilation in Decreasing Cooling Load Demand

Michael Darmanis, Murat Çakan, Konstantinos P. Moustris, Kosmas A. Kavadias and Konstantinos-Stefanos P. Nikas
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Michael Darmanis: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Beyoğlu, Istanbul 34437, Turkey
Murat Çakan: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Beyoğlu, Istanbul 34437, Turkey
Konstantinos P. Moustris: Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, GR12244 Athens, Greece
Kosmas A. Kavadias: Laboratory of Soft Energy Applications & Environmental Protection, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, GR12244 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos-Stefanos P. Nikas: Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, GR12244 Athens, Greece

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-11

Abstract: The building sector consumes 36% of the world’s energy and produces around 40% of energy-related carbon emissions. While the building industry moves towards a zero net greenhouse-gas emission policy, ventilation is, and will be, a necessity for the preservation of air quality—especially in climates defined by unsavoury conditions. Therefore, a “mixing mode” cooling system was employed to lower the required energy consumption at an earthen building situated in the premises of Istanbul Technical University. A room of the high-mass earthen building was monitored under different ventilation and shading conditions. Night ventilation was conducted using two modes, 3.2 and 2.3 air changes per hour, and the air conditioning unit, operating from 08:00 to 17:00, had a set temperature of 23 ∘ C . Night ventilation was somewhat impactful, reducing the average expected cooling energy demand up to 27%. Furthermore, the earthen building proved to be extremely effective on moderating extremes of temperature under non-ventilated conditions. During a rather hot day, with an outdoor maximum temperature of 35 ∘ C , the indoor maximum temperature of the high-mass building was only 25 ∘ C , namely within thermal comfort levels. The diurnal temperature proved to be key in the effective application of night ventilation.

Keywords: cooling demand; cooling systems; earthen materials; mixed-mode cooling systems; night ventilation; passive cooling-techniques; thermal comfort (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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