Passive systems for energy savings of buildings in tropical climate

Passive systems and bioclimatic architecture principles applied to modem architecture are able to reduce the energy demand of the building sector, and to meet the Nearly Zero-Energy Building goals. The aim of this research is to reduce the discomfort time of buildings located in tropical climate, by using passive systems taken from vernacular architecture and bioclimatic modern buildings. For this purpose, a model building has been designed, meeting the tropical climate requirements. Energy simulation has been done to compare the thermal behavior and thermal comfort conditions of the model building, under different passive systems cases: thermal mass, solar protections, crossed ventilation, and dehumidification. The results reveal that a combination between high thermal inertia with nocturnal ventilation, the use of solar protections on the north facade, dehumidification, and the use of thermal insulation in the roof is fundamental for achieving the thermal comfort in buildings located in tropical weather.