Abstract
The use of vegetated walls and intensive plantation around buildings has increased in popularity in hot and arid climates, such as those in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is due to its contribution towards reducing the heat gain and increasing the occupants’ comfort levels in spaces. This paper examines the introduction of plant-shaded walls as passive technique to reduce heat gain in indoor spaces as a strategy to lower cooling demand in hot arid climate of Al-Ain city. Experimental work was carried out to analyze the impact of using plantation for solar control of residential building façades in extreme summer. External and internal wall surface and ambient temperatures were measured for plant-shaded and bare walls. The study concluded that shading effect of the intensive plantation can reduce peak time indoor air temperature by 12 °C and reduce the internal heat gain by 2 kWh daily in the tested space. The economic analysis reveals a payback period of 10 years considering local energy tariff excluding environmental savings.
Highlights
IntroductionAn important design problem, is increasingly being achieved though optimal passive design approach
Building energy efficiency, an important design problem, is increasingly being achieved though optimal passive design approach
McPherson and Simpson [9] further determined the impact of orientation coupled with distance between the plants and façade. They concluded that energy savings of plant-shaded walls are positive on east and west directions up to 12.2 m, neutral on south direction due to summer savings being offset by winter losses, not affected on north due to direct radiation not being blocked and not impacted beyond 12.2 m at any façade due to shadow not reaching the building [10]
Summary
An important design problem, is increasingly being achieved though optimal passive design approach. McPherson and Simpson [9] further determined the impact of orientation coupled with distance between the plants and façade They concluded that energy savings of plant-shaded walls are positive on east and west directions up to 12.2 m, neutral on south direction due to summer savings being offset by winter losses, not affected on north due to direct radiation not being blocked and not impacted beyond 12.2 m at any façade due to shadow not reaching the building [10]. A study conducted in the US cities namely Minneapolis, Charlotte and Metro Orlando where the temperature ranges are 2.9 ◦C to 12.9 ◦C, 9.3 ◦C to 21.6 ◦C and 17.9 ◦C to 22.9 ◦C respectively [13] determined the effect of climatic conditions on energy savings of plant shaded wall. The present study employs local cost of planting and maintaining trees, purchasing materials, pruning, pest and disease control and irrigation [26] which is the theme of current article
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