Energy Efficient Design Features for Residential Buildings in Tropical Climates : The Context of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• This study aimed at identifying passive design features through literature study that can be incorporated in residential buildings of Dhaka to make them energy efficient. The study also aimed at identifying changes in the design process that can affect energy efficiency in residential buildings. It has analyzed the present electric energy use for cooling and lighting typical residential buildings of upper middle income households in Dhaka through a case study conducted in Dhaka. It has also calculated the possible energy savings by adopting certain energy efficient features in the case study building. The findings from this study indicate that doubling the thickness of external walls on east and west of the building, use of hollow clay tiles instead of weathering course for roofs and use of appropriate horizontal overhang ratios for all four orientations can reduce the cooling load of the case study building by 64% and thus reduce the total energy use of the building by 26%. Finally, it can be concluded that the process of designing energy efficient residential buildings is not a 'one-man's show'. Architects, developers, interior designers and clients are the other actors who can bring a change in the design practice.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Annan samhällsbyggnadsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Other Civil Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Energy-efficient

passive design features

residential building

tropical climate

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)