New Research Highlights Importance of Thermal Comfort in Achieving Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Tropical Buildings

A team of investigators from the College of Engineering has published a new study that sheds light on the critical role of thermal comfort in achieving energy efficiency in low-income tropical buildings. According to the research, buildings contribute approximately 40% of global energy consumption and 15% of direct CO2 emissions from end-use sectors, primarily due to heating and cooling needs. The study examines thermal comfort parameters, building materials, and design strategies suited for tropical environments and identifies critical gaps in current building codes.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that buildings contribute approximately 40% of global energy consumption and 15% of direct CO2 emissions from end-use sectors, primarily due to heating and cooling needs.
• Thermal comfort is a critical factor in achieving energy efficiency in tropical buildings, and current building codes lack sufficient guidelines to address this issue.
• The study proposes passive design strategies and renewable energy technologies as innovative solutions to achieve substantial energy savings and improved indoor environments in low-income housing.
• The research highlights the need for stakeholder engagement strategies involving government bodies, NGOs, and local communities to address socioeconomic barriers to energy-efficient solutions in low-income settings.
• The study aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17, contributing to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
• The researchers emphasize the critical role of optimizing thermal comfort in achieving energy efficiency in low-income tropical buildings and propose a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency and thermal comfort in these regions.
• The study provides a pathway for policymakers, architects, and urban planners to advance sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly built environments in tropical regions.

Statistics:

• 40%: The percentage of global energy consumption contributed by buildings.
• 15%: The percentage of direct CO2 emissions from end-use sectors attributed to buildings.
• 12(1):1-31: The issue and page numbers of the journal article "Assessment of thermal comfort and its potential for energy efficiency in low-income tropical buildings: a review" published in Sustainable Energy Research.

Sources:

• Assessment of thermal comfort and its potential for energy efficiency in low-income tropical buildings: a review. Sustainable Energy Research, 2025,12(1):1-31.
• College of Engineering, Makerere University (DOIs: 10.1186/s40807-025-00169-9)