Assessing the Effect of Green Strategies on Indoor Thermal Comfort of Office Buildings in Enugu State

Abstract

It is an undeniable fact that the average temperature is rising. This temperature increase is greatly being influenced by indisputable climate change. The bulk of the negative effects of this climatic change are felt more in the cities. These cities have some critical urban characteristics like unplanned, congested buildings lack of landscape features and reflective surfaces Thus giving rise to urban heat island effect, urban-dust-dome effect and radiation effects from reflective surfaces of roads and roofs. Indoor thermal stresses in these cities are equally increasing because both indoor and outdoor thermal comfort levels are negatively affected. Green strategy is the concept that focuses on using passive means to minimize these environmental problems and improving the indoor air quality IAQ and thermal comfort. When passive means of achieving indoor comfort is effectively implemented, it  results in reducing the excessive use of non-renewable energy for mechanical means of achieving indoor comfort. The main highlight of green strategy is sustainability in the built environment in particular and the entire universe in general. This paper evaluates the efficient use of passive design techniques that will achieve indoor comfort and ensure energy efficient buildings and environmental sustainability. The researchers employed descriptive research methods with extensive literature review. Survey method and statistical regression analysis based on Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) standards, is used to establish the relationship between different green strategies and thermal comfort. The conclusion highlights the importance of green strategies in improving the indoor thermal comfort of occupants in office buildings Keywords: Climate change, Green strategies, Green initiatives, Environmental Sustainability, Regression Analysis, Thermal comfort. Software Package for Social Sciences  (SPSS). DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/10-7-04 Publication date: August 31st 201