Improving Thermal Comfort Through Natural Ventilation and Passive Solar Systems in Residential Buildings in Iraq: Review Paper

Abstract

The building enterprise in Iraq performs the greatest instance of energy, especially in residential section. Indeed, most of the residential constructions rely on traditional construction systems. In the past, the traditional system used to supply thermal comfort for residents during summer and winter seasons. However, due to the fact of the growing impact of global warming and technological advancement, this constructional system is no longer viable. Therefore, realizing energy efficiency, specifically in Iraq, is very vital due to non-stop electricity crisis since the 1990s. Hence, this review paper is an attempt to show several strategies to achieve thermal comfort in residential buildings in Iraq through natural ventilation and passive solar systems for both cooling and heating periods, which at the end can help to achieve some kind of sustainability in residential buildings in Iraq, specifically, hot climates in general.