Cool classrooms in hot places: application of high-mass night-vent cooling in school buildings in Arizona

摘要

This paper presents findings from an exploration into the potential for using high mass night ventilation in five climatic zones in Arizona. The results help identify the times of the year during which this passive cooling strategy can assist or replace mechanical cooling in school buildings in Arizona. Schools are "day buildings" with schedules that present a relatively short working period as compared to other building types occupied during daytime. With the use of adequate amounts of interior mass for thermal storage, the peak indoor air temperatures can be shifted away from the hours when the classroom is occupied. Arizona schools tend to be low rise buildings with ample possibilities for taking advantage of breezes and stack ventilation for air flushing of high mass interiors, and thus can successfully utilize this passive cooling strategy.