Modest Residential Building Cooling Load Components Analysis

Ibrahim, U.H., A.A. Baba and Idris, M.H.
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
E-mail: heldabuk@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: In developing countries like Nigeria, the exacerbation of thermal discomfort in a
living space is closely associated with high cost of air conditioning systems and the epileptic
power supply. This paper therefore attempts to determine the contribution of each of the cooling
load component of a modest residential building with the view of meliorating thermal comfort by
manipulating the components that contribute significantly to the total cooling load of the
building. To achieve the set objectives, the sources of heat load both internal and external were
identified and their relative contributions to the total cooling load were determined. The results
show that external heat load which encompasses heat gain through walls, windows, roof, and
infiltration heat load, contributes about 87% of the total cooling load of the building. Significant
reduction of the external cooling load by passive measures will not only make the occupants of
the building to have relief comfort but can also reduce the size, cost and the power requirement
of the air conditioning system to be used in the building. Amelioration of thermal comfort by
mitigation of the external cooling load of a building using passive measures is recommended.