On the use of the atmospheric heat sinks for heat dissipation.

During recent years, energy consumption of buildings for cooling purposes has significantly increased. In order to reduce the energy consumption while maintaining high levels of thermal comfort, building research has been oriented towards the appropriate use of the natural heat sinks. The present paper provides comparative information regarding the performance of the more important passive and hybrid cooling techniques involving the use of a natural heat sink. Ground cooling by earth-to-air heat exchange.rs, direct and indirect evaporative coolers as well as night ventilation techniques are considered. The impact of the systems and techniques on the thermal behaviour of a. typical building is investigated by means of a sensitivity analysis of the main parameters determining their performance.