Abstract
The demand for space cooling is the fastest growing end-use of electricity in buildings since many rely on the use of air-conditioners only to control the indoor climate. Ventilative cooling is a passive cooling technique, which involves the use of outdoor air to lower buildings’ indoor air temperature. In order to determine whether ventilative cooling may have the ability to reduce cooling loads, a detailed analysis of the local climate is needed. The aim of this study was to identify which Australian geographical regions have a suitable climate for the utilization of ventilative cooling techniques. The assessment of climatic potential for each geographic location was carried using two approaches: (i) a methodology which does not require detailed knowledge of the building characteristics, and; (ii) building performance simulation of a ‘typical’ Australian detached home. Results showed that the most populated Australian cities would benefit from the use of ventilative cooling techniques whereas the northern coastal region does not have a suitable climate.
Highlights
The amount of energy used by the building sector is steadily increasing worldwide
The aim of this study was to identify which Australian geographical regions have a suitable climate for the utilization of ventilative cooling techniques
Results showed that the most populated Australian cities would benefit from the use of ventilative cooling techniques whereas the northern coastal region does not have a suitable climate
Summary
The amount of energy used by the building sector is steadily increasing worldwide In developed countries, this sector alone contributes towards approximately one third of the overall energy consumption [1]. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that worldwide space cooling is the fastest growing end-use of electricity in buildings and represents approximately 6% of the total energy consumption [2]. VC can be employed when the outdoor air is colder than the indoor air [4] This process has two positive effects: i) it removes heat from a building; and ii) it may generate higher air speeds which facilitates the maintenance of thermal comfort conditions indoors with higher dry-bulb air temperatures [5]. In hot regions with high daily temperature fluctuations, VC can be utilized at night-time to cool down the thermal
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