Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana

This research aims at ascertaining appropriate construction designs and techniques that could be adopted to minimize excessive heat gains in buildings. Random sampling technique was used for selecting hundred (100) domestic buildings in each of the three densely populated suburbs considered within t...

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Main Author: Samuel Kwame Ansah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) 2014-07-01
Series:International Journal of Development and Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:http://isdsnet.com/ijds-v1n3-27.pdf
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author Samuel Kwame Ansah
author_facet Samuel Kwame Ansah
author_sort Samuel Kwame Ansah
collection DOAJ
description This research aims at ascertaining appropriate construction designs and techniques that could be adopted to minimize excessive heat gains in buildings. Random sampling technique was used for selecting hundred (100) domestic buildings in each of the three densely populated suburbs considered within the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. In total, three hundred (300) buildings were used as a sample for this study. Structured interview and observation were used as the main research methods to obtain the necessary data for the study objectives. The results show that appropriate construction designed methods and techniques were not adopted for the construction of almost all the buildings investigated. It was also realized that majority of the occupants (96%) used electric fans, and air conditioners to reduce the amount of heat gains in their rooms. The study suggested that, shading techniques such as screens to walls, fixed sun breakers and attached canopies must be encouraged in the design and construction of buildings. The study also suggested that all buildings, yet to be constructed, should be positioned with their longest walls facings north and south in order to reduce intense morning and evening sun entering into the building with more window openings accommodated in both sides of the longest walls to allow for cross ventilation.
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spelling doaj.art-9675a6bfb6e94afc9f21f04e1184d9d62022-12-22T03:36:18ZengInternational Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS)International Journal of Development and Sustainability2186-86622186-86622014-07-0113994-1007Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – GhanaSamuel Kwame AnsahThis research aims at ascertaining appropriate construction designs and techniques that could be adopted to minimize excessive heat gains in buildings. Random sampling technique was used for selecting hundred (100) domestic buildings in each of the three densely populated suburbs considered within the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. In total, three hundred (300) buildings were used as a sample for this study. Structured interview and observation were used as the main research methods to obtain the necessary data for the study objectives. The results show that appropriate construction designed methods and techniques were not adopted for the construction of almost all the buildings investigated. It was also realized that majority of the occupants (96%) used electric fans, and air conditioners to reduce the amount of heat gains in their rooms. The study suggested that, shading techniques such as screens to walls, fixed sun breakers and attached canopies must be encouraged in the design and construction of buildings. The study also suggested that all buildings, yet to be constructed, should be positioned with their longest walls facings north and south in order to reduce intense morning and evening sun entering into the building with more window openings accommodated in both sides of the longest walls to allow for cross ventilation.http://isdsnet.com/ijds-v1n3-27.pdfAppropriate designHeat gainsHeat minimizationTechniques
spellingShingle Samuel Kwame Ansah
Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana
International Journal of Development and Sustainability
Appropriate design
Heat gains
Heat minimization
Techniques
title Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana
title_full Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana
title_fullStr Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana
title_short Minimization of heat gains in buildings: The case of domestic buildings in Cape Coast Metropolis – Ghana
title_sort minimization of heat gains in buildings the case of domestic buildings in cape coast metropolis ghana
topic Appropriate design
Heat gains
Heat minimization
Techniques
url http://isdsnet.com/ijds-v1n3-27.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT samuelkwameansah minimizationofheatgainsinbuildingsthecaseofdomesticbuildingsincapecoastmetropolisghana