Microclimate Effect on Cooling Energy for Buildings in Hot, Humid Climates: A Comparative Analysis of Shaded and Unshaded Environments

This paper explores the influence of microclimates on changes in air temperature and the often-overlooked aspect of their effect on energy savings across varying microclimatic conditions. The study compares the cooling energy requirements of two identical single-story buildings in distinct microclimates: one characterized by concrete ground devoid of shade and the other featuring soil ground with tree shade. Climatic environmental data were collected over 15 days in the concrete-exposed field and shaded area beneath the trees to conduct the investigation. These datasets were input into EnergyPlus 9.6 to model the energy demands and consumption of buildings subject to the specified climatic conditions. The validation of the simulated model against actual energy demand data from a classroom building demonstrated agreement. The findings reveal notable differences in air temperature, with the shaded area experiencing temperatures 0.8°C to 8.0°C lower than the concrete-exposed monitoring location. The building in the tree-shaded microclimate exhibited a lower peak cooling load than its concrete-exposed counterpart, resulting in a 35% reduction in the electrical energy requirements for the air-conditioning system. The study recommends implementing 0.08-m polyurethane insulation for the building walls and roof to equalize the energy demand and consumption of the concrete-exposed building with that of its shaded counterpart. Furthermore, building design in shaded areas can maximize the window glass area while consuming less energy than buildings on concrete-exposed grounds. The study advocates leveraging the microclimate associated with surrounding buildings in the design process to enhance the overall energy savings.