Investigation of indoor thermal comfort range for rural houses of Dhaka region

Abstract

Bangladesh is frequently cited as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change because of its geographic location; flat and low-lying topography; high population density. These changing natures of climatic events especially temperature rise are making dwelling units inappropriate for both current and future climate. Thus in the face of climate change, effort should be placed to predict the temperature or combination of thermal variables (temperature, humidity, and air velocity) which will be found comfortable in rural housing of Bangladesh, where 75% of total population lives. Thus the study of thermal comfort in rural sector is very important because it directly affects occupant’s healthy and comfortable life and energy consumption is a direct consequence of it. Thus this research focuses on observing the existing indoor thermal environment in rural houses of Dhaka division, and determination of comfort range, to ensure appropriate indoor thermal condition, during the hot-dry or pre-monsoon period of a year, for rural housing in Bangladesh, with reference to the Dhaka region. To accomplish the objective, a transverse field survey considered suitable method to collect necessary data for this research. Field study is aiming at obtaining the occupants’ indoor thermal comfort responses within the naturally ventilated rural houses, along with the diverse adaptation mechanisms and practices, following the adaptive approach. Finally, the identified comfort range of this region will contribute to the body of knowledge of thermal comfort for naturally ventilated buildings, as there is no current standard regarding indoor thermal comfort for the occupants of rural houses.