Thermal comfort in a residential house in Kampala.

Abstract

Global warming and climate change has been a challenge in the last decades. Buildings are major contributors to energy consumption. This is due to the rise in human comfort needs and services. The residential sector consumes a significant amount of energy worldwide. A NZEB strategy emphasizes closing the gap between energy demand and renewable energy supply. Despite some of the roles that NZEBs significantly contribute to smart cities on the energy efficiency, the potential contribution of NZEB to the residential sector of Uganda has not been documented in literature. The objective of this study was to develop a thermal comfort model in a residential house through an envelope design. CBE tool was used and results indicate; PMV with elevated air speed of residential houses during resting hours in Kampala; at night: -0.75. DBT as 24.1°C, PPD as 17%, the Cooling effect as 2.7°C and SET = 26.3°C. The study realized factors to be considered while building like; air temperature, average radiant temperature, air speed, air humidity. The model developed in this study enables a building to heat up during cold hours and cool down during hot hours by the help of the water pool collected during rainy days. This water cools down the house during the day time while absorbing heat that can be released during the night hours that are somehow cold in Kampala. However, if this isn’t considered, then heat pumps have to be employed to pump heat into rooms to reduce heating in rooms. Recommendations should be put in raising thick walls and ceilings to maintain building temperatures. Keywords: Net Zero, Energy, Buildings, Predicted Mean Vote