EFFECT OF WINDOWS CONFIGURATION IN WALL PANELS ON ROOM TEMPERATURE IN NATURALLY VENTILATED RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN ASABA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The type of windows configuration in residential building influences the amount of radiation that enters into the interior occupied spaces. The level of comfort or discomfort experienced within the buildings is thus hinged on the type of window configuration in the building facade. There are different window configurations in the study area, and the environmental designers or architects use any of the window type in spite to its implication on thermal comfort aspect of the building. Physical measurements and questionnaire were conducted in naturally ventilated residential buildings, to investigate the effect of window configuration in wall panels on room temperature in naturally ventilated residential buildings in Asaba, Nigeria. The effect of indoor room temperature on occupant thermal comfort was examined. Different window configurations commonly used in residential buildings in the study area are sliding, projected, casement, casement-with-vent, and louvre window. The results show that appropriate window configuration in wall panels can provide comfort level on room temperature. Recommendations were made to improve thermal comfort in residential buildings using window configuration with PMV value of 4.5 or less which are casement with vent, louvre and casement windows in naturally ventilated residential buildings.