International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2014)
Use of Microclimate and Landscaping in Passive Cooling for
Energy Conservation Of Buildings
Hardik Saxena1 , Dr. P.B.L. Chaurasia2, Pradeep Nath Mathur3
1
2
Research Scholar, Director, COE(Centre of Excellence) 3DEAN Engg., HOD Civil Engg., Suresh Gyan Vihar University.
Other affected factors are pressure distribution
throughout the building and wind patterns etc.
Microclimatic conditions depend on such factors as
temperature, humidity, wind and turbulence, dew, frost,
heat balance, and evaporation. The effect of soil type on
microclimates is considerable. Sandy soils and other
coarse, loose, and dry soils, for example, are subject to high
maximum and low minimum surface temperatures. The
surface reflection characteristics of soils are also important;
soils of lighter colour reflect more and respond less to daily
heating. Another feature of the microclimate is the ability
of the soil to absorb and retain moisture, which depends on
the composition of the soil and its use. Vegetation is also
integral as it controls the flux of water vapour into the air
through transpiration. In addition, vegetation can insulate
the soil below and reduce temperature variability. Sites of
exposed soil then exhibit the greatest temperature
variability.
Abstract— Microclimate refers to a climate of a small
region. As the name suggests, Micro means small and the term
signifies the effect of climate on a smaller regions due to
surroundings of that area. Microclimate effects the
environment. For example, Concrete and masonry absorbs
heat from sun and slowly radiate which increases the
temperature. This is called urban heat island effect. Now
having Non radiating shading devices like trees and plants
nearby can help in regulating the temperature.
Keywords— Microclimate , Green buildings , Landscaping ,
Passive cooling , energy conservation , sustainable
development.
I. INTRODUCTION
There are certain factors which plays an important role
in microclimate.
1. Orientation of building
2. Location of neighboring objects
3. Surrounding landscape
The micro climate can also determine the shape of the
building and how it sits on the site and the locations of your
rooms within the building.
An ideal site for the designing an energy efficient home
would be one that has full solar access and protection from
the harsh elements of nature.
II. EXPERIMENT
The experiment is conducted on the round building of
Our University having identical rooms . the study is carried
out to determine the temperature variation due to the
microclimate and landscaping of the surrounding area . The
three rooms are taken into observation . One with complete
shading and surrounded with trees and plantation and one
with partial shading and other one with no shading on walls
by plants and trees .
Zones
The zoning and orientation of the building can have a
strong impact on the energy consumption pattern.
Shape can have a strong influence on energy
consumption performances.
Room Layout
The measurements are as follows :-
 Solar gain
 Savings on energy consumption
 Integration of technology
 Pressure Distribution
 Wind patterns
For instance, it can determine the amount of solar
radiation falling onto the external surface area. This in
return can increase savings on energy, for example, heating
and lighting. The form of the building should take into
account the integration of technology, to maximise
efficiency.

ARC of walls = 2 arcs of 7 feet separated by 2
feet glazing
 Hieght = 10 feet
 thickness = 1 foot
The instrument used for temperature measurement is
thermocouple. The thermocouple is automatic and
automatically gives temperature by converting potential
difference across resistance wire . No manual calculations
required and hence made working with it easier.The least
count of thermocouple is. 1 degree Celcius. Since,
Rajasthan has a tropical desert climate.
772
International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2014)
It is cold from October to February while the scorching
sun irritates the land from March to September. There are
distinct temperature range variations diurnal and seasonally
throughout the state, revealing the most typical
phenomenon of the warm-dry continental climate. The
summer begins in the month of March while the
temperature keeps rising progressively through April, May
and June. West of Rajasthan and the eastern side of
Aravalli Range, in the region of Bikaner, Phalodi, Jaisalmer
and Barmer, the maximum daily temperature hovers around
40°C to 45°C. Sometimes, it even reaches as high a 49°C
during the summer months. Nights of summers see a
considerable temperature fall with a minimum daily
temperature around 20°C to 29°C. However, Udaipur and
Mount Abu have a pleasanter climate in summers with a
relatively lower daily maximum temperature that reaches
38°C and 31.5°C, respectively. The daily minimum
temperature at nights for these two stations hovers around
25°C and 22°C, respectively. The major portion of the state
that consists of the arid west and the semi-arid mid-west
has an average maximum of 45°C in June.
Now, On closely observing the temperature , it is found
out that the temperature recorded is higher than the
maximum and lowest temperature recorded . this is perhaps
due to the Urban heat island effect . however , it is clearly
visible that the rooms with plantation as shading and
microclimate lowers the temperature to an extent , which
will surely reduce the load on electricity inside . we just
studied the trees and plants grown around the rooms . if the
rooms and shadings devices are made accordingly the sun
path and direction of the area the effect will be much more
greater than the observed .
IV. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
1. The trees around the rooms keeps environment cooler
and conserves energy envelope of the building and
outside Habitable .
2. The load on electricity automatically reduced to a greater
extent . as lesser power consumed during artificial
cooling or say ACTIVE COOLING OF THE ROOM by
air cconditioners , fans coolers etc .
3. This effects the economy of the region to a great extent .
developing countries spent a lot of amount in the energy
production using coal and fossils fuels . it surely
indirectly effects the economy of the country .
4. When the world is facing a great threat of global
warming , it is a development to the sustainability , as it
helps in reducing green house emission and preventing
the green house effect as well by purifying the air by
using trees .
5. Also landscaping provides loose soil around so than also
helps in the water consumptions . regions like INDIA
especially western part suffers drought and Hence , it
can proved to be a boon if adopted on a Large scale .
6. Also the trees and greenery around provides an eye
candy and freshness . it also protects from occupational
health diseases .
7. LEEDS also provide Credits for microclimate and
landscaping . and Hence also improves the green
building rating . Corporates try hard to earn credits for
green buildings Hence it can be very helpful to them and
economical too .
III. READINGS AND OBSERVATIONS
The readings are taken at three different times for
continuously 5 days of a week . However weather keep
changing day by day but normally it remains sunny during
summers here in jaipur . The time at which readings were
taken is 9:00 AM , 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM . it will give
the clear idea of rise , maximum and falling of temperature
during evening time as well . however , the maximum
amount of photosynthesis observed during DOWN DUST
PERIOD , normally occur at early morning and evening
time , and result is expected to be maximum during this
period only .
The temperature recorded are formulated in the table
below .
TABLE I
ROOM TEMPERATURE WITH THERMOCOUPLE
Time
I.
Temperature Readings
Room with
shadings of trees
9:00
32.6 C
Partial
shading
of trees
33.2
No shading of
trees
12:00
34.8
37.2
39.0
16:00
35.2
38.1
39.8
REFRENCES
[1] Temperature information taken from Rajasthan tourism department.
[2] LEEDS credits from CII certification book .
[3] http://www.azsolarcenter.org/tech-science/solar-for-
35.1
consumers/passive-solar-energy/passive-solar-design-manualconsumer/passive-solar-design-manual-cooling.html
773
International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2014)
[4] Erens PJ, Dreyer AA. Modeling of indirect evaporative Coolers Int
[6] www.alternative-energy-news.info/passive-solar-energy
[7] energy.gov/energysaver/articles/passive-solar-home-design
J Heat Mass Tran 1993;36:17−26
[5] Confideration of Indian industry for certification of green buildings.
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