Toward Sustainable Building Design: Improving Thermal Performance by Applying Natural Ventilation in Hot–Humid Climate

Abstract

This study primarily aims to investigate the improvement in indoor thermal conditions by passive cooling approaches without auxiliary cooling from air-conditioning equipment. A field study is carried out in The View apartments, Penang, Malaysia, to ascertain the environmental performance of these glazed residential buildings. This study explores the potential of using natural ventilation as a passive cooling system for residential buildings in Malaysia. The impact of natural ventilation strategy is investigated in selecting different rooms, days and orientations. The impact of daytime and night- time natural ventilation as a passive cooling strategy is also investigated and compared with that of unventilated situations. Results show significant improvements in indoor environmental performance by 80% and 50% at daytime and night-time, respectively, in cases where natural ventilation is applied and considered in the building.