STUDY OF IMPACT OF HYBRID COOLING IN SDE CLASSROOMS

Abstract

Air conditioning makes tropical life in Singapore much more comfortable. However, this enjoyment also comes with a great expense. 50% of a buildings’ energy consumption is used up by air-conditioning alone. This gives rise to the importance of conceiving more energy-efficient techniques of cooling.

In line with the net-zero energy building newly erected in the National University of Singapore, SDE4 incorporates many energy-efficient technologies to reduce their energy consumption. This study highlights the implementation of a hybrid cooling system for their SDE4-EXR2 classroom in the building. The objective of this study is to understand the impact of hybrid cooling on the perceived thermal comfort of the occupants. This is achieved by comparing perceived thermal comfort in hybrid cooled classrooms with conventional air-conditioned classrooms in School of Design and Environment.

Objective data obtained from the environmental conditions of the classrooms will be evaluated with subjective data collected from thermal comfort surveys completed by 12 occupants in the classrooms. PMV values from objective and subjective data will be computed and analysed. Based on findings, PMV of objective data do not have a significant correlation to the PMV of subjective data. However there are circumstances where both objective and subjective results substantiate one another.

This dissertation ends by providing recommendations for future studies and for utilising hybrid cooling system to maximise thermal comfort satisfaction while saving on energy.