Thermal comfort inside residential building with varying window locations and size

Abstract

In eastern India use of shading devices (with or without glazing) is desirable, as this zone predominantly suffers from hot and humid climate and high solar radiation. There are scanty literature on the subject of the effect of shading devices of variety of materials and design and orientations on the building internal spaces. Therefore, further research is required to investigate the effect of location of window or opening on the indoor thermal condition with respect to the orientation of the building or room irrespective of design criteria. This paper discusses about the window size and location to be used in residential buildings. The study presented in this paper evaluates the optimal internal sunlight penetration through windows for different locations and orientation of residential building during the overheating and high humid periods. The effect of various locations of windows to reduce the required cooling loads and thermal performance considering the use of best shading devices is presented through simulation. This study also compares its simulation data for the proposed building height to the height recommended by National Building Code of India. The main aim of this work is to assess different thermal condition created by different locations of windows and the reduction percentage of cooling loads through the selected optimum location of window. The outcomes of this research will reduce the efforts in planning and designing residential building by practicing architects and engineers in regions with hot and humid climatic characteristics.