Performance of Climbing Plants on Green Facades in Heat Transfer Reduction.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the performance of climbing plants on green facades in reducing heat transfer. Six types of climbing plants were selected by exploring their growth capacity in 30 days. It was found that Confederate vine (Antigonon leptopus) showed the maximum growth, followed by Lee Gkwan Yew vine (Vernonia elliptica) and Cat’s Claw Creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati), respectively. Four experiments were carried out to compare the performance of the climbing plants on 4 simulated walls. The 1st wall was designated as the control wall (facing west), and the 2nd-4th walls (facing west) were covered with Lee Gkwan Yew vine, Confederate vine, and Cat’s Claw Creeper, respectively. The temperature data collection was recorded for 5 days at day time (6.00 a.m.- 6.00 p.m.) and night time (6.00 p.m.- 6.00 a.m.) using scientific tools. The results showed that the temperatures at Front Wall 1 during 10.00 a.m.-12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.-8.00 p.m. were significantly higher than other walls covered with the climbing plants (P<0.05). At 2.00 p.m., the temperature at the front wall covered with Lee Gkwan Yew vine was the lowest; being significantly lower than the temperatures of the walls covered with Confederate vine, Cat’s claw creeper, and of the control wall (P<0.05). However, at 1200 p.m.-9.00 a.m., the temperatures behind the control wall (on the east) showed no statistically significant difference with those of walls covered with the climbing plants. The results from this research revealed that Lee Gkwan Yew vine can be used as a means to reduce temperatures at front walls by reducing heat transfer into the building.