Assessing effectiveness of utilization of passive design parameters on active energy consumption in public buildings in warm-humid climate

Abstract

Energy requirement in buildings for physiological comfort can be in form of active or passive energy. When the buildings are not energy conscious and passive energy is not well utilized to achieve the desired comfort level, the use of active energy becomes necessary. The mean minimum satisfaction rating of 1.13 which was significantly correlated at 0.01 level, and mean maximum satisfaction rating of 3.34 which was significantly correlated at 0.05 level were achieved. Various strategies for energy conscious building design were highlighted. The study revealed in the regression models that the contribution and effectiveness of the sets of explanatory variables varied. The regression equations for each of the subsectors of the public buildings was with 0.610 ≥ R2 ≥ 0.099, 0.520 ≥ AR2 ≥ 0.033 and 0.227 ≥ significant level ≥ 0.000. The effectiveness/contribution of utilization of most effective independent variables of climate responsive design (CRD) parameters on active energy consumption (Ec) are 0.327(32.7%) ≥ SR2 ≥ 0.000(0.0%). Key words: Buildings, physiological comfort, passive energy, active energy, energy conscious building design, climate responsive design (CRD) parameters.