Thermal Insulation of Low-Cost Housing in Egypt

Abstract

A common fault of architects and building designers in Egypt has been to produce buildings, particularly at the low-cost end of the market, with little regard to the climatic conditions that prevail. Satisfactory internal condi tions are achieved by using mechanical systems which in crease the initial capital cost of the building. In low-cost hous ing, artificial control over energy gains by means of air- conditioning is clearly not feasible on economic grounds. This paper discusses the criteria for thermal comfort in hot climates and reference is made to the BRE method of com putation of internal temperatures in tropical buildings, which has been validated by observations in Egypt. The effects of thermal capacity and insulation in buildings in hot climates are also discussed.