I.

Achieving Thermal Comfort through Tropical Design

I.1. Passive Strategies for Thermal Comfort in Tropical Homes
In the tropics, passive thermal comfort strategies are ideal. Thermal comfort is
what we always want. In tropical climate homes, this can be achieved through passive
strategies. However, there are many factors that determine temperature comfort.
I.2. Thermal Comfort
The degree of thermal satisfaction you experience in your surroundings is
essentially your level of thermal comfort.
It might depend on a number of variables or a combination of variables, and it
depends on each person. As a result, thermal comfort is a personal experience and
nearly difficult to quantify for each person in a space.
I.3. Factors that Influence Thermal Comfort
Your level of thermal comfort and what is necessary to obtain it are determined
by a variety of factors.
Your level of thermal comfort is influenced by your age, gender, clothes, activity
level, metabolic rate, and even the moisture content of your skin.
Different methods can be used to produce thermal comfort depending on these
variables. These consist of changing the air's temperature, relative humidity, and speed
as it touches your skin.
However, satisfying every individual in a room can sometimes be a challenge
because of various factors.
I.4. Passive Strategies to Promote Thermal Comfort
Natural ventilation and solar shading are the two main passive methods needed
to promote thermal comfort in the tropics.
When compared to areas farther from the equator, tropical climates are
distinguished by their warm temperatures. Therefore, lowering the interior temperature
is the most crucial thing you can do to build a thermally comfortable home. One of its
core components is tropical architecture.
I.5. Natural or Possessive Ventilation
Increasing the airflow through your room is the first step in lowering the indoor
temperature.
The technique of moving air naturally through your building is known as natural
ventilation or passive ventilation. The difference in air pressure between indoor and
outdoor spaces allows for this.
I.5.a. Cross Ventilation
Wind-driven strategies are one of the most common approaches to naturally
moving air through a house. Cross ventilation, which is one of the most efficient
methods, is included in this. It is when air enters a building from one side and exits from
another.
By itself, this procedure can remove stale, warm air from your home. However,
allowing that wind to flow over your skin would make it even more effective for thermal
comfort. Rather than just passing through a corner of your room, air that is moving
across your body is more effective at cooling you.
Subsequently, it is ideal to find windows where the way of the breeze will pass
across your body.
For instance, the height, size, and position of the windows and doors in your
bedroom ought to be chosen in such a way that they permit air movement across your
bed.
However, the air movement may need to be redirected due to the variations in
wind direction or even your movement and activity in the room.
By rerouting airflow, the windows and doors you choose may contribute to
flexibility.The velocity at which air moves through your home can also be affected by the
type of window, its sizes, and where it is located.
The room's air velocity can also be improved by using ceiling or other types of
fans.
I.5.b. Stack Effect
The stack effect is another way natural ventilation works. Air density is used to
encourage air movement in this buoyancy-driven method.
Air's buoyancy changes with temperature and humidity. The temperature of the
air inside rises when it is warmer inside than outside. This is apparent in a hot air
balloon. Cooler air from the outside is brought in to replace that air if it can escape
through an opening near the roof or upper level of your room.
In the tropics, where there isn't as much of a difference between indoor and
outdoor temperatures, this method may not be as effective. However, when there isn't
much wind, it can be used to help achieve thermal comfort.
Although the speed of the air moving through isn't as fast as cross-ventilation, it
can lower the temperature inside.
I.6. Passive Solar Shading Strategies
Protecting your home from solar heat gain is the next major way to lower its
temperature.
 Your room's temperature can rise and your thermal comfort may decrease when
the sun hits your home's walls, windows, or other interior surfaces. Avoid letting direct
sunlight into your tropical home because it will raise the temperature.
Also important to think about are the materials used in your home. Wood and
metal, both of which are lightweight, heat up quickly but also lose heat quickly. Thermal
massing materials, on the other hand, retains heat for longer periods while slowly
heating up, like concrete. The heat is then returned to your room at night. In tropical
climates, this is not ideal, so such materials should be protected from direct sunlight.
Utilizing devices, solar shading strategies minimize the impact of direct sunlight
on your home. They keep direct daylight from entering through your windows and
entryways. It can also shield your walls from sunlight. The sun's heat can transfer into
the home through heated walls.
I.6.a. Roof Overhangs and Verandas
Verandas and large roof overhangs can help shield your home from the sun's
rays. Because of the sun's angle, they work best on walls facing north and south.
However, it can also help with east- and west-facing walls, depending on how deep your
veranda is.
I.6.b. Double Roofs
Another way to reduce the amount of heat that enters your home is to install a
double roof system.
Your home's roof receives the most direct sunlight of any part. The lower roof is
shielded from the sun by a double roof with one roof directly above the other. thereby
reducing the amount of heat that enters your home through the roof.
I.6.c. Screens and Shutters
A good way to shield your home from direct sunlight is with screens and shutters.
They can shield your walls, windows, and doors from solar heat gain.
The heat inside your room is trapped when sunlight enters through a glazed
opening like a door or window. Your indoor temperature rises as a result.
It's best to cover your windows with shutters or screens that keep out the sun but
let air flow naturally.
In architectural jargon, the term "brise soleil," which means "sun breaker" in
French, is sometimes used to describe a building feature that prevents heat loss.
To build a thermal barrier, you can use things like breezeblocks, screens made of
wood or metal, and other materials. Your thermal comfort and home heat are both
improved as a result of this.
I.6.d. Vegetation
There are two ways that vegetation, including trees and plants, can help increase
thermal comfort.
Your walls, windows, and doors can get shade from the vegetation around them.
Shade can be provided to a lot of your home by large trees. In addition to being
beautiful, they have psychological advantages for you and your family.
A cool microclimate can also be created around your home by plants and trees.
They shade your home and add soft surfaces that keep it cooler around it. This is a
great way to increase thermal comfort because it means that the wind that blows
through your house will also be cooler.
II. Energy Sufficient Design
Building or upgrading buildings that are able to get the most use out of the
energy that is provided to them by reducing energy loss, such as reducing heat loss
through the building envelope, is energy efficient building design.[1] Energy efficient
homes offer a significant number of benefits, whether they are built with energy
efficiency in mind or are renovated to be more energy efficient. Homes that use less
energy cost less to run, are more comfortable to live in, and are better for the
environment.
II.1. Block Orientation
When choosing a block for your home, make sure it will allow you to place the
living areas where you spend the most time on the north side of the house.  Avoid or
minimize windows facing west or east and make sure they are well shaded for summer,
and minimize south facing windows as these don't get any winter sun. Ask your
architect or designer for advice about taking advantage of natural light.
II.2. Building Material
Buy local materials to reduce carbon footprint. Select materials that don't have
toxic elements and can be recycled and reused. Source timber from sustainable
plantations and buy local materials to reduce carbon footprint.
II.3. Draught Proofing your Home

Ensure proper building techniques, including proper installation of insulation and

sealing holes during construction. Use good quality weather sealed external doors and
windows. Install self-closing extraction fans to cut heat loss. Avoid downlights as they
require holes in the ceiling and disturb the insulation, or use approved downlight covers
to reduce the risk of fire and protect insulation. Make sure your home is built and tested
to meet acceptable air leakage rates.
II.4. Efficient Lighting
Smarter lighting design and taking advantage of natural light will save you money
on your ongoing energy bills. Check with your electrician to make sure the lights and
any covers comply with Australian electrical safety requirements.
II.5. Energy-Efficient Appliances
When choosing fridges, televisions, washing machines, dishwashers and so on,
choose energy efficient appliances with the highest energy star ratings. Even if you pay
a little more for these appliances, they will save you money over time.
II.6. Energy Efficient Hot Water Systems
A solar hot water system might be more expensive to buy and install, but the
running costs will be significantly lower.
II.7. Insulation
Insulation is a one-off cost that will benefit the lifetime of your house. Insulating
your home’s ceiling, walls and floors can save you up to 45% on the cost of running
your home. Therefore, adding as much insulation as possible, while making sure it is
installed correctly with no gaps and proper waterproofing, is a sound investment.
II.8. Solar Power
Installing a solar PV system will allow you to generate renewable energy and
reduce your electricity bills. 
II.9. Ventilation

Building your home to reduce air leakage (uncontrolled ventilation) needs to be

coupled with well controlled ventilation to replace used internal air. Both windows and
exhaust fans can help control ventilation to maintain air quality while minimizing air
leakage.
Windows work best in bedrooms and living rooms, and exhaust fans work best in
areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, toilet and laundry, because they remove
pollutants, odors and moisture.

Good ventilation, coupled with good building techniques, will ensure your home
keeps your family healthy, saves you money and stays comfortable.

II.10. Waste Minimization

Over 75% of construction waste is clean, excavated material, such as concrete,
bricks and timber which can often be recycled.
II.11. Water
Save water by considering water recycling systems and choosing water saving
fittings and appliances. Keep kitchens and wet areas easily updateable to allow for
design, usage and technology changes.
II.12. Window, Frames, and Glazing
Smarter window design and external shading can make your home bright and
comfortable all year round. Double glazing, which has become less expensive, will
reduce heat losses from your home, and reduce heat gain through your windows in
summer. Energy efficient windows can reduce heat losses through the window by up to
50% compared to a single glazed window.
II.13. Zoning and Efficient Heating and Cooling
Designing zones in your home will allow you to efficiently heat and efficiently cool
rooms individually. Doors are a great way to zone areas of your home, for example
between corridors and bedrooms or living areas. This way you don't need to spend
money heating or cooling rooms that you are not using. Sliding doors will be less
effective as they have large gaps in the recess, which allow the air to flow freely.