Evaluation of the effectiveness of passive cooling techniques in buildings located in hot climates

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The city of Palmas-TO, located in the northern region of Brazil, has a climatic reality with high temperatures throughout the year. Thus, it is essential to search for technological solutions that can guarantee better hygrothermal comfort in dwellings, associated with reductions in the cost of energy needed to cool it down. In this perspective, the constant innovation that the world market presents in products and techniques aimed at the passive cooling of buildings justifies to carry out a study to assess the hygrothermal conditions in dwelling after implementing those products / techniques. This study presents the results of an experimental campaign, lasting about 5 months, during which the effect of different passive cooling techniques was evaluated, such as: brise soleil, low-emissivity insolation, natural cross ventilation, and painting with reflective paint. For this purpose, two identical test cells in Palmas-TO were used. On one cell the different passive cooling measures were implemented and the other remained unchanged, in order to be able to compare the results. The painting with reflective paint showed the highest reduction in temperature in the daily average, obtaining its best performance during daytime. However, natural cross ventilation was the most effective technique during nighttime. The brise soleil achieved an insignificant temperature reduction while the low-emissivity insolation proved to be ineffective in these test conditions.