Analysis of Thermal Comfort in Traditional Residential Buildings in Nigeria

Abstract

Human thermal discomfort is a serious problem in Nigeria where the temperature and humidity stress is always high. Occupants of residential homes therefore resort to the use of active cooling system. This paper empirically examined the thermal comfort of traditional residential buildings in Nigeria using Igbo traditional residential buildings as a case study. Such buildings were identified to be mainly in rectangular and circular in typology with little or no windows. The roof is thatched. Experimental research method was used in this study to obtain data on environmental and human parameters. Subjective measurement was used to collect information on thermal sensation and thermal preference of the occupants of the Igbo traditional residential buildings. The results showed that the average thermal sensation experienced by the occupants of the buildings vary from cool to slight warm. Ventilation was not much felt in the indoors. The study recommends for high-level window openings to generate ventilation by both wind and stack effect in future designs of the buildings.