Controlling energy consumption in residential buildings using air infiltration in humid climates

Abstract

Given the ever-increasing people’s need for housing, affordable housing and environmental comfort are important, and the use of inactive design methods is the cheapest solution to achieve low-energy buildings. This study aimed at understanding the natural ventilation potential in Gorgan. This research has been conducted aiming at providing solutions based on airflow to reduce energy consumption in the building for the warm months of the year. Solutions for using natural ventilation in the design of a residential complex include a terrace, void, direct ventilation for the corridors, cross ventilation, and arranging the units to get suitable ventilation. The energy influence the air through the intermediate spaces of the floor units; as the external consumption during the warm period of the year was simulated in the form of an applied project. In this research, a model with mechanical ventilation and 4 patterns of 22 modes were designed using natural ventilation. The results showed that the factors such as using void, stair layout of the plan, using semi-empty spaces in the building, creating internal lateral ventilation, being the interior doors opened, placing the smaller unit from west to south, the connection between the kitchen and the living space in the building causes a reduction of the energy consumption in the warm seasons of the year in moderate and humid climates.