The Effects of Orientation and Ceiling Height on the Thermal Comfort in the Traditional and Contemporary House in Byblos City Lebanon

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, the demand for cooling energy has tripled in the Middle East (ME). This is provoked by the need to ensure thermal comfort in a very hot climate, as indoor thermal conditions are important for maintaining occupants' comfort. In a subtropical region, it becomes more critical in terms of energy consumption. This paper investigates the thermal comfort in buildings located in the city of Byblos, Lebanon. Thermal comfort was evaluated using subjective methods. The thermal perceptions of respondents were determined by questionnaires. Indoor environmental conditions such as relative humidity, air temperature, and air velocity were measured using a sensor during winter and summer seasons. While the results show a strong correlation between thermal comfort and architectural parameters, this study specifically focuses on building height and orientation. Findings highlight the need to propose an adapted suitably strategy to evaluate thermal comfort.