Study of Thermal Comfort for Office / Institute Buildings Based on CARBSE Tool and Suggestive Passive Measures for Kota

Abstract

The chapter presents a study of thermal comfort conditions and suggestions for passive measures for naturally ventilated daytime operated buildings which serve as offices and institutes. The study is reported for Kota, Rajasthan, India. For the study, weather and comfort analysis tool developed by Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE) has been used to estimate the distribution of operating hours in terms of too hot, warm, comfortable, cold and too cold hours. Temperature and humidity distribution with the operating hours are presented. The estimated requirement for operation modes of the buildings in form of natural ventilation, heating, mild cooling, cooling, cooling-dehumidification and dehumidification is reported and on basis of their analysis suggestive passive measures suitable for Kota region are discussed to enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption. Major requirements in Kota are for natural ventilation (28%), mild cooling (27%) and cooling (22%). Thus, the passive measures such as light paint, shading, roof gardens, high reflective coating, low emissivity coating on windows, improving ventilation etc. would be suitable for Kota.