Passive Cooling Techniques in Building Design for Hot Climates: A Nigerian Perspective
Keywords:
Passive, thermal, building, climate, adaptationAbstract
Nigeria’s hot climate ranging from arid northern regions to humid southern zones poses significant challenges for maintaining indoor thermal comfort, especially in the face of rising energy demands and limited access to reliable electricity. This study investigates passive cooling techniques as sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to mechanical air conditioning in Nigerian buildings. Using a mixed-methods approach combining field measurements, computational simulations, and case study evaluations across climate zones, the research evaluates the performance of key strategies including solar shading, natural ventilation, thermal mass utilization, evaporative cooling, and vernacular architectural practices. Results indicate that passive interventions can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 5°C and decrease cooling energy demand by approximately 30–44%. For instance, simulations of office buildings incorporating shading and reflective window films showed 20% reductions in cooling load, rising to 44% when combined with insulation. Typical design features such as courtyards and massive adobe walls in the north or stilted and ventilated structures in the south showed a high performance regarding thermal comfort, while at the same time demonstrating the cultural and environmental appropriateness of autochthonous systems of cooling. These results emphasize the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and climatic relevance of passive cooling and offer architects, engineers, and policy makers a set of evidence-based strategies for building resiliency and energy efficiency. Passive cooling must be incorporated as part of Nigeria building codes and professional practice to cover climate adaptation, energy equity, and sustainable development.
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