Adaptive Thermal Comfort and Energy Saving Potential in Naturally Ventilated School Building in Nepal

Abstract

The energy use in schools relates to various factors such as local climate, architectural design, thermal comfort, and so on. The present study explores the thermal comfort of students in higher secondary schools in the temperate climatic region of Nepal during the summer of 2019. Altogether 246 students aged 12-18 years have participated in the survey. The indoor and outdoor temperature were measured together with the thermal comfort survey during the regular lesson. The students voted three times during the regular lesson: morning, midday, and afternoon. A literature review was conducted on energy use in schools in various countries. The comfort temperature in the afternoon was significantly higher than in the morning or in the midday. The comfort temperature is related to the air movement and operative temperature. The strategies such as insulation, shading, and ventilation are helpful to maintain indoor temperature which contributes to the energy saving in building. The Nepalese school students are adapting in the thermal environment of classrooms without energy use.