Study on thermal comfort and ventilation performance of a wind catcher in hot-dry climate of Mexico: A sustainable energy-saving strategy

Abstract

Excessive use of fossil fuel-based energy has led to significant environmental problems, primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions. In regions with hot and dry climates, natural ventilation strategies, such as wind catchers, can reduce the demand for cooling and ventilation, thereby improving thermal comfort and indoor air quality. This study evaluates the performance of a wind catcher in the hot, dry climate of Mexicali, Mexico, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze ventilation efficiency and thermal comfort across nine different air inlet and outlet configurations. The results indicate that configurations promoting cross-ventilation, particularly air inlets and outlets positioned at the bottom and top of the room, respectively, achieve the most efficient air renewal (with an average 18.32% reduction in stagnation time compared to the others) and improved thermal comfort, resulting in a predicted dissatisfaction percentage of 35.1%. These findings highlight the potential of wind catchers as a passive cooling strategy to reduce electricity consumption in hot and dry climates.

Practical application

This study provides clear design guidance for architects and engineers aiming to optimize natural ventilation in hot-dry climates. By identifying the most effective inlet and outlet positions in wind-catcher systems, the findings help reduce air stagnation and improve indoor thermal comfort without relying on mechanical cooling. The proposed configurations support energy-saving strategies in building design, particularly in regions with high cooling loads. These insights are applicable not only in Mexican cities such as Mexicali, but also in similar arid environments globally, contributing to the advancement of passive cooling solutions in climate-responsive architecture.