Occupants' Habits and Natural Ventilation in a Hot Arid Climate

Abstract

This chapter presents the findings of a questionnaire distributed in the Arabian Gulf region to explore the potential of utilising natural ventilation to moderate thermal conditions in residential buildings. It, additionally, explores the occupants' acceptance of the idea of applying natural ventilation when outdoor thermal environments are acceptable. Natural ventilation is a key sustainable solution to improve thermal conditions in the region considering its extreme climate, huge consumption of cooling energy, and the cultural attitude to depend on mechanical ventilation. The chapter discusses the thermal adaptation including physical or behavioural adaptation, and it sheds light on selected studies discussing similar issues. A detailed climatic analysis is presented with reference to Muscat city. Discussing the questionnaire's findings revealed high acceptance to depend on natural ventilation of around 93.7% of the participants. In addition, the possibility to depend on natural ventilation in the period from November to March, especially during daytime, was revealed.