Tropical House Design: Active, Passive or Both?

Rosangela Tenorio, University of Auckland

This paper demonstrates how the use of active or passive means only does not give the appropriate answers to a tropical design when considering housing. The author discusses about the idea of both modes of operation being used simultaneously or in parallel, and how this concept has been developed for one experimental prototype in tropical areas of Brazil (Northeast region). Extensive parametric simulations have been conducted using the prototype, and thermal comfort levels along with energy use were assessed and compared. The prototype design has also taken into account the appropriate use of resources through sustainable design features. The results have demonstrated that for regions such as the warm-humid tropics, the use of a mixed running strategy have optimized energy performance and provided better levels of thermal comfort in a much more effective way. It has also demonstrated the integration of energy efficiency and a PV grid connected system, while enabling those daytime electrical needs to be accomplished by the photovoltaic component.