Improving Sustainability of Housing in Ghana through Energy Efficient Climate Control Strategies

Abstract:

This paper aims at explaining testing procedures used to evaluate the potential of natural ventilation and daylighting applications to passive design of housing in Ghana. The objectives of research were to reduce energy costs and increase the sustainability of housing. From the results of these experiments actual and potential designs are illustrated and discussed. Mass housing results in multi-storey buildings which require substantial artificial lighting and ventilation. Also, with the increasing usage of glass for windows and doors in Ghana, even the shaded depths of buildings require additional daylight usually resulting in more energy consumption. By supplementing the internal lighting levels with daylight, reducing the internal heat load by shading windows to direct radiation and the utilization of natural ventilation over air conditioning where possible, significant energy savings are could be achieved. The research proposes mass housing design changes such as: delivering daylight above the suspended ceiling into the depths of the building by horizontal light pipes and natural ventilation, utilizing stack effect and wind siphonage, etc.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 608-609)
• Pages: 1698-1704
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.608-609.1698
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Abdul Manan Dauda, Hui Gao
• Keywords: Climate Control, Daylighting, Energy Efficiency, Ghana, Housing, Natural Ventilation, Sustainability

References

[1] Aronsson S, Nilsson P. Learning from experience with energy efficient lighting in domestic buildings. Netherlands: CADDET, 1991.

[2] ASHRAE. ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals. Atlanta GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, 1993.

[3] Bedford T. Environment warmth and its measurement. London: HMSO, 1940 (reprint 1965).

[4] BRE Digest. Natural ventilation in domestic buildings. BRE Digest 1994; 399.

[5] British Standard 1042 part 1-1964, Methods of measurement of fluid flow in pipes.

[6] British Standard 5925±1991, Code of practice for ventilation principles and design of natural ventilation.

[7] CIBSE. Guide, air infiltration and natural ventilation, section A4, volume A, design data. London: The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineering, 1998.

[8] Cowling IR, Veevers P. The design and performance of a permanently mounted daylighting device. Architectural Science Review 1999;33.

DOI: 10.1080/00038628.1990.9696683

[9] Cowling IR. General principles and design of daylighting devices at QUT. Queensland University of Technology, 1993.

[10] Croome DJ, Roberts BM. Air conditioning and ventilation of buildings. USA: Pergamon Press, 1975.

[11] Dupreez WP, Howosad RM. Performance test on a whirlybird turbine ventilator. South Africa: CSIR, 1989.

[12] Edmonds IR. Solar energy materials and solar; cells performance of laser-cut light deflecting panels. North Holland, 1993.

DOI: 10.1016/0927-0248(93)90088-k

[13] Faber O, Kell JR. Heating and air conditioning of buildings. Sixth ed. London: The Architectural Press, 1979.

[14] Fisk DJ. Thermal control of buildings. London: Applied Science Publishers, 1981.

[15] Littlefair PJ. Innovative daylighting a review of systems and evaluation methods. Lighting Research and Technology 1900; 22(1).

[16] Shaw CY, Kim A. Performance of passive ventilation systems in a two storey house. National Research Council Canada, 1984.

[17] The Institution of Heating Ventilating Engineers. IHVE guide, book B. London: The Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineer, 1970.

DOI: 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u237084

[18] West STK. Daylighting work at UTS. Royal Architectural Institute of Canada: Advanced Building Newsletter 1995; 1(9)

[19] http://earthtrends.wri.org , Earthtrends country profile. Downloaded 2011/09/12

[20] Shane West, Building and Environment 36 (2001) pp.281-289

[21] CHF, 2004, Strategic Assessment of the Affordable Housing Sector in Ghana. CHF International, Silver Spring, MD.