Comparison of Weather data in achieving Recommended Good Practice Cooling Load by CIBSE Guide: A Case of Kenya and Ghana

Building practices, technologies and construction are continually evolving, hence building codes, regulations and policies are being revised frequently to reflect efficiency, up-to-date and effective minimum building envelop specifications to enhance performance. The research question is, can one recommended good practice of cooling load specification by CIBSE Guide be appropriate for different tropical climatic conditions (hot-humid and hot-dry)? The main aim of this research is to compare two different weather data with the same design specification to achieve recommended good practice for cooling load by CIBSE Guide. Mixed research methods were employed using ESDL Tas computer simulation and Bristol online survey tool. Major findings include: 1. No single approach can be used to achieve the recommended CIBSE Guide specification. 2. The use of Kenya weather data (hot-dry) with the integration of low thermal conductivity building fabrics, standard internal condition design variables from Ghana regulations and chilled beam technology achieved the CIBSE Guide. 3. Ghana weather data (hot-humid) with the same design and building fabrics as Kenya specifications did not meet the CIBSE Guide. In conclusion, the use of one recommended good practice for cooling load specification for all tropical climate (hot-humid and hot dry) conditions is not appropriate.