Comparison of Different Hybrid Turbine Ventilator (HTV) Application Strategies to Improve the Indoor Thermal Comfort

This paper discusses the results of the full-scale field measurement study to investigate the most efficient application strategy of the Hybrid Turbine Ventilator (HTV) in improving the indoor thermal comfort in hot-humid tropics. The effects of three different HTV application strategies performance on improving the levels of indoor air temperature, relative humidity (RH) and air velocity were evaluated for a three-clear day period. The results were analyzed and compared based on two thermal comfort indices i.e. Operative Temperature (OT) and Standard Effective Temperature (SET*). The study shows that the HTV for the occupied space with extractor fan at ceiling level is the most efficient strategy when it succeeded to reduce indoor air temperature and relative humidity of up to 0.7°C and 1.7% RH, respectively. It also succeeded to induce air velocity in the occupied level up to 0.38m/s in average and reduced the level of OT by 60% and SET* by 90% compared to the existing condition. The overall results also indicated that the performance of the HTV could be enhanced by applying the device for both occupied space and attic space at the same time and ensure that openings are kept opened.

Keywords
Stack ventilation, Turbine ventilator, Solar energy, Thermal Comfort, Hot-humid climate