Minimizing energy consumption and providing improved thermal comfort for buildings by incorporating false ceiling and mechanical ventilation

Buildings use a substantial portion of energy for air conditioning and heating purposes. Implementing energy-efficient retrofits in buildings is an essential procedure for decreasing emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. In this study, a combination of false ceiling and mechanical ventilation system is introduced as an energy-efficient retrofit to decrease energy usage and increase thermal comfort in buildings. Installing a false ceiling beneath the roof creates a thermal barrier, reducing heat transfer into the building. Additionally, incorporating mechanical ventilation in the space between the roof and the false ceiling helps remove trapped hot air, thereby keeping the top floor cooler. This study numerically examines the impact of applying false ceilings and mechanical ventilation on room temperature and total energy consumption using DesignBuilder software. The proposed investigation was initially conducted on a typical model building, and the findings were then applied to a real building through numerical simulation to evaluate their practical effectiveness. Installing a false ceiling under the roof, with gaps ranging from 0.2 m to 0.4 m, can lower room temperature by up to 1.39 °C and reduce overall energy use by up to 11.59%. Introducing mechanical ventilation between the roof and false ceiling further enhances performance, achieving temperature reductions of up to 2.21 °C and additional energy savings of 5.9% to 7.3%. When applied to a real building, a 0.3 m ceiling gap combined with ventilation rates of 3.0–4.5 ACH reduced energy consumption by up to 15.43%. Overall, the combined strategy significantly improves thermal comfort and energy efficiency.