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Assessment of Passive Cooling Strategies in Tropical Residential Buildings

Abstract

The increasing demand for thermal comfort in residential buildings has contributed to significant energy consumption, particularly in tropical regions where high temperatures and humidity create a continuous need for cooling. Conventional cooling systems such as air conditioners and electric fans are widely used to maintain comfortable indoor conditions, but their operation increases energy demand and household costs. Passive cooling strategies provide an alternative approach by using building design, natural resources, and climatic conditions to reduce indoor heat gain and improve thermal comfort without relying heavily on mechanical cooling systems. This study focuses on the assessment of passive cooling strategies used in tropical residential buildings. Passive cooling involves design approaches that minimize heat entering a building while promoting the removal of accumulated heat. Common strategies include natural ventilation, appropriate building orientation, external shading, roof design, thermal insulation, reflective materials, vegetation, and effective window placement. The appropriate combination of these strategies can improve indoor thermal conditions and reduce dependence on mechanical cooling systems. Building orientation is an important factor in passive cooling because it influences solar heat gain, prevailing wind patterns, and natural ventilation. Properly positioned windows and openings can facilitate cross-ventilation and improve the movement of air through residential spaces. Shading devices such as roof overhangs, louvers, fins, and vegetation can also reduce direct solar radiation on walls and windows. These measures can help maintain lower indoor temperatures, particularly during periods of intense solar exposure. The selection of building materials and construction methods also influences the effectiveness of passive cooling strategies. Materials with suitable thermal properties can reduce heat transfer through the building envelope, while reflective roofs and appropriate roof insulation can limit heat accumulation within indoor spaces. The use of courtyards, verandas, shaded outdoor spaces, and vegetation can further contribute to reducing heat gain and creating more comfortable microclimates around residential buildings. The effective application of passive cooling strategies can provide both environmental and economic benefits. By reducing dependence on mechanical cooling systems, these strategies can lower household electricity consumption and operating costs while contributing to reduced carbon emissions. However, the effectiveness of individual strategies depends on factors such as local climate, building orientation, construction materials, occupancy patterns, and the quality of design and implementation. Therefore, passive cooling strategies need to be assessed according to the specific climatic and architectural conditions of tropical residential environments. This study assesses the effectiveness of selected passive cooling strategies in improving thermal comfort and reducing cooling requirements in tropical residential buildings. The study is expected to identify the strategies that have the greatest potential for improving indoor thermal conditions and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. The findings will provide useful information for architects, builders, homeowners, and other stakeholders involved in residential building design, particularly in tropical climates, and may support the development of more energy-efficient and climate-responsive residential buildings.

Keywords: Passive cooling, Tropical residential buildings, Thermal comfort, Natural ventilation, Solar shading, Energy efficiency, Sustainable building design, Building orientation, Thermal insulation, Daylighting, Climate-responsive design.