Natural Convection Cooling for Indoor Thermal Regulation in Buildings

¹ Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG, Editorial Department, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 128-130 49811 Lingen, Germany
² Kampmann GmbH & Co. KG, Editorial Department, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 128-130 49811 Lingen, Germany

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Natural processes offer an effective means of regulating a building's indoor environment, providing both hygienic ventilation and thermal conditioning while reducing primary energy use. Unlike mechanically driven systems—which require electricity and incorporate complex components such as fans—natural convection relies on buoyancy forces generated by air density differences, enabling passive air movement. Although mechanical convection remains the prevailing approach for cooling, practical evaluations comparing it with natural convection are scarce, and documented real-world applications are limited. Moreover, existing studies tend to focus on temperature distribution alone, neglecting broader aspects of indoor environmental quality. This research addresses these gaps by analyzing the vertical and horizontal distribution of indoor parameters in a building hall that employs both gravity-based and mechanically forced convection cooling. The results contribute applied knowledge for the design of low-carbon buildings that integrate energy efficiency with occupant comfort.