A Correlation Analysis of Factors Influencing Cooling Energy Demand of Condominiums in Sri Lanka

Geekiyanage, Devindi; Ramachandra, Thanuja

Abstract

Often, energy use for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning is the key contributor to operational energy demand which varies between 50-70% in most of the developed countries. Surprisingly, in Sri Lanka, the energy consumption of space cooling accounts for more than 75% of total electricity used in a typical building. With ever-increasing pace of condominiums in Sri Lanka, the requirement for space cooling has increased significantly which has resulted in enormous energy requirement. On that note, this research investigates the factors influencing cooling energy demand of condominiums in Sri Lankan tropical climate. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 30 professionals employed in condominium operations and maintenance. Analysis of survey findings indicates top five significant determinants of cooling energy demand: building morphology, building technology, environmental factors, physical characteristics, technical factors and human behaviour. Further analyses into building morphology factors which is the key contributor of cooling energy demand indicate that number of floors (0.940), height (0.930), shape (-0.686), grouping of buildings (-0.647), gross internal floor area (0.597), window-to- wall-ratio (0.489) and wall-to- floor-ratio (-0.457) are significantly correlated with cooling energy demand. Therefore, the study recommends designers to consider these design parameters and its impact on cooling energy demand and thereby develop energy efficient condominiums.

Citation

Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2017, November). A Correlation Analysis of Factors Influencing Cooling Energy Demand of Condominiums in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at Vidulka National Energy Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Vidulka National Energy Symposium
• Conference Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Start Date: Nov 19, 2017
• End Date: Nov 21, 2017
• Deposit Date: Aug 17, 2023
• Publisher URL: https://www.energy.gov.lk/images/vidulka-energy-exhibition/symposium-book-2017.pdf#page=135