Experimental Study to Evaluate the Performance of Iraqi Passive House in Summer Season

Abstract

Iraq locates in hot arid region (30 °N-37 °N), where the hot summer season is very long and the ambient temperature is about 50 °C. Cooling of building needs A/C (air-conditioning) system which consumes more than 60% of the total electricity supplied to residential building. So, there is really need to minimize the energy consumption by enhancement the performance of Iraqi buildings using passive house technique. This paper presents the thermal performance of a Passivhaus model built in Kirkuk (35 °N). The design depends on the using of suitable materials, sufficient insulation, well airtightness and underground air cooling. The experimental measurements take in consideration several parameters like ambient temperature, solar radiation, orientation of the building and duration. The results give good indication of the benefit of using this technique of passive cooling system in Iraqi residential buildings. The indoor temperature could be reduced to 30 C, while, the energy consumption for cooling could be saved up to 80%.