Keeping Cool in the Desert: Using Wind Catchers for Improved Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality at Half the Energy

In hot arid climates, air conditioning in the summer dominates energy use buildings. Kuwait, demand buildings is dominated by cooling, which also determines national peak electricity demand. Schools contribute significantly to cooling demand, but suffer from poor ventilation. This paper presents analysis of a ventilation and system for school classrooms using wind catcher natural evaporative cooling. A classroom Kuwait with single-sided was modelled DesignBuilder V5.4/EnergyPlus V9.1 software calibrated field data. The model used analyse performance catcher, without terms use, thermal comfort indoor quality. Compared baseline air-conditioning only, found reduce 52% during months while increasing comfortable hours 76% 100% any supplementary conditioning. While time below ASHRAE CO2 limit improved 11% 24% quality still poor. These improvements came at cost 14% increase relative humidity. As solution appears have potential further development; several avenues research are proposed.