A Field Study on Thermal Comfort and Cooling Load Demand Optimization in a Tropical Climate
Masoud Esfandiari (Shahid Beheshti University)
Suzaini Mohamed Zaid (University of Malaya)
Muhammad Azzam Ismail (University of Malaya)
Mohammad Reza Hafezi (Shahid Beheshti University)
Iman Asadi (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))
S. Mohammadi (TU Delft - Building Services, Saxion University of Applied Sciences)
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Abstract
Energy consumption to cool an indoor environment is a substantial part of total energy end-use, particularly in a tropical climate with high energy demand for cooling. To improve energy efficiency, cooling systems can be optimized using a variety of neutral indoor temperatures to maintain a balance between an occupant’s thermal comfort and cooling energy demand. This explanatory study investigated the thermal quality and cooling energy demand of a Platinum-certified office building in the tropical climate of Malaysia. The investigation aimed to suggest a balance between occupant thermal comfort and cooling energy demand. The thermal investigation includes an objective field measurement that implements environmental equipment to monitor thermal quality and a subjective occupant’s thermal feedback using a questionnaire survey. To calculate cooling energy demand, the total equivalent temperature difference method (TETD) is applied. The results suggested an occupant’s cooling sensation of around 24 °C, with no significant difference concerning age and gender. Cooling load calculation indicated a 36% energy reduction by increasing air temperature to 26 °C, for occupants to feel thermally comfortable in a tropical climate. These findings contribute to improving sustainable energy policies, sustainable construction, and thermal comfort improvement for a tropical climate.
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