PASSIVE GROUND COOLING AN APPROACH FOR ENHANCING THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF RURAL DESERT HOUSES IN EGYPT

Abstract

This thesis presents a proposal for designing rural desert dwellings that accommodate the hot dry climate in Egypt and reduce the demand for air-conditioning in Egypt's houses that affects the country escalating energy consumption where most consuming sector is the residential. So energy efficient rural houses are targeted.

The proposal using passive ground cooling techniques - where the ground used as a heat sink to produce cooler air [Earth sheltered buildings + Earth to air heat exchangers (EAHE)] - and local building materials can be a higher chance to reach Egypt's Energy Strategy's Goal to achieve energy savings up to 18% of the total consumption in 2035.