Indoor thermal conditions in selected air-conditioned rooms in a tertiary educational institution in Malaysia

Abstract

According to scientific evidence, air-conditioning system contributes to about one third of building energy consumption in Malaysia. To save energy in this sector, adoption of high efficiency controlled technologies is highly recommended. However, the simplest strategy of all is to adjust the interior physical parameters of rooms in relation to indoor thermal conditions to a required level which could save about 10% of total space conditioning energy use in buildings. Thus, in supporting future guidance and policy-making related to the building energy consumption, knowledge of indoor thermal conditions is vital. Based on this scenario, this field study was conducted to investigate and determine the indoor thermal conditions in 16 rooms in a tertiary educational institution in Malaysia. Physical parameters in terms of air movement, temperature and relative humidity were measured for both indoor and outdoor conditions. In addition, characteristics of each selected room were observed and recorded. Data were presented using statistical analysis. Findings from this study would be useful to provide baseline information that can be used to compare past, current and projected future values on indoor thermal conditions towards the development of future energy-related design codes specifically for educational buildings in Malaysia.