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Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal

Received: 4 April 2024     Accepted: 7 August 2024     Published: 29 October 2024
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Abstract

The diversified geography of Nepal creates huge variations in the country's climatic zones; however, the building industry has so far used standardized methods that tend to neglect local climate conditions. Most of these standards then rely on energy-intensive mechanical systems to maintain indoor thermal comfort, without considering more viable and climate-responsive design methods. In this light, the development of a climate classification related to building design will help develop and encourage energy- and climate-effective building architecture in Nepal. The existing energy-saving practice in the building sector of the country is reviewed in this paper, and it outlines ways to improve the adaptation of energy-efficient methodology. It shows that passive houses are performing much better in comparison with modern constructions that are behind in terms of energy efficiency when compared with traditional homes. The study outlines the climate-specific design criteria and methodologies for various regions and sets the path for exploration of the passive house design process challenges and opportunities that might exist for wider diffusion. Also discussed are strategies to overcome the barriers and promote passive house construction, offering a pathway toward sustainable building practices in Nepal.

Published in International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 13, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12
Page(s) 58-66
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Buildings, Diverse Geography, Climate, Passive

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Bhandari, S., Shrestha, S. L., Baral, B. (2024). Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 13(3), 58-66. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12

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    ACS Style

    Bhandari, S.; Shrestha, S. L.; Baral, B. Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2024, 13(3), 58-66. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12

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    AMA Style

    Bhandari S, Shrestha SL, Baral B. Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2024;13(3):58-66. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12,
      author = {Sangam Bhandari and Shubha Laxmi Shrestha and Bivek Baral},
      title = {Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
      volume = {13},
      number = {3},
      pages = {58-66},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijrse.20241303.12},
      abstract = {The diversified geography of Nepal creates huge variations in the country's climatic zones; however, the building industry has so far used standardized methods that tend to neglect local climate conditions. Most of these standards then rely on energy-intensive mechanical systems to maintain indoor thermal comfort, without considering more viable and climate-responsive design methods. In this light, the development of a climate classification related to building design will help develop and encourage energy- and climate-effective building architecture in Nepal. The existing energy-saving practice in the building sector of the country is reviewed in this paper, and it outlines ways to improve the adaptation of energy-efficient methodology. It shows that passive houses are performing much better in comparison with modern constructions that are behind in terms of energy efficiency when compared with traditional homes. The study outlines the climate-specific design criteria and methodologies for various regions and sets the path for exploration of the passive house design process challenges and opportunities that might exist for wider diffusion. Also discussed are strategies to overcome the barriers and promote passive house construction, offering a pathway toward sustainable building practices in Nepal.},
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    T1  - Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal
    
    AU  - Sangam Bhandari
    AU  - Shubha Laxmi Shrestha
    AU  - Bivek Baral
    Y1  - 2024/10/29
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12
    T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
    SP  - 58
    EP  - 66
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1549
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.12
    AB  - The diversified geography of Nepal creates huge variations in the country's climatic zones; however, the building industry has so far used standardized methods that tend to neglect local climate conditions. Most of these standards then rely on energy-intensive mechanical systems to maintain indoor thermal comfort, without considering more viable and climate-responsive design methods. In this light, the development of a climate classification related to building design will help develop and encourage energy- and climate-effective building architecture in Nepal. The existing energy-saving practice in the building sector of the country is reviewed in this paper, and it outlines ways to improve the adaptation of energy-efficient methodology. It shows that passive houses are performing much better in comparison with modern constructions that are behind in terms of energy efficiency when compared with traditional homes. The study outlines the climate-specific design criteria and methodologies for various regions and sets the path for exploration of the passive house design process challenges and opportunities that might exist for wider diffusion. Also discussed are strategies to overcome the barriers and promote passive house construction, offering a pathway toward sustainable building practices in Nepal.
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

  • Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

  • Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

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