Energy Conscious Buildings Chapter 2

of time. Integrated weather condition over several years is generally referred to as climate or more

specifically, as the ‘macro-climate’. An analysis of the climate of a particular region can help in

assessing the seasons or periods during which a person may experience comfortable or

uncomfortable conditions. It further helps in identifying the climatic elements, as well as their

severity, that cause discomfort. The information helps a designer to build a house that filters out

adverse climatic effects, while simultaneously allowing those that are beneficial. Discomfort and

the corresponding energy demand for mechanical systems can be significantly reduced by

judicious control of the climatic effects. The built-form and arrangement of openings of a building

can be suitably derived from this analysis. For example, in a place like Mumbai, one feels hot and

sweaty owing to intense solar radiation accompanied by high humidity. Here, the building design

should be such that (a) it is sufficiently shaded to prevent solar radiation from entering the house

and, (b) it is ventilated to reduce discomfort due to high humidity. On the other hand, in a place

like Shimla, it is necessary to maintain warmth inside the building due to the predominantly cold

climate. Climate thus plays a pivotal role in determining the design and construction of a building.

In this chapter, we will review the various aspects of climate and the methods of its analysis.

This includes a brief description of the various climatic factors and climatic zones of India. The

design requirements of buildings in different climatic zones are discussed and tabulated.

Illustrative examples provide information on how to analyse the climatic conditions of a place.