Parametric Performance Analysis of the Cooling Potential of Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers in Hot and Humid Climates

Abstract

Earth-to-air heat exchangers (EAHEs) are widely used to reduce the indoor temperature and associated cooling energy demand of buildings. This study investigated the potential reduction in indoor temperatures via energy-efficient ventilation through EAHEs in an existing architectural campus building (ACB) with an energy-efficient renovated building envelope in the hot and humid climate of Karachi, Pakistan. The building information modeling (BIM) program Autodesk Revit was used to develop a virtual ACB BIM model. An EnergyPlus parametric analysis of the ACB BIM model in DesignBuilder facilitated quantification of the influences of operating parameters such as pipe installation depth and pipe diameter for EAHEs with similar total pipe lengths and air-exchange rates on the performance of the EAHEs during the cooling season. A 3 m deep and 0.1 m diameter pipe layout in open space significantly reduces indoor temperature via a specific duct layout in an exemplary ACB. The results show that a pipe diameter above 0.1 m is unsuitable because of the reduction in convective heat transfer due to the increase in the pipe’s surface area and the decrease in pressure in the pipe. The findings of this study can be used to improve the indoor thermal comfort of buildings in climates with comparable properties.