The Effect of Thermal Mass on Annual Heat Load and Thermal Comfort in Cold Climate Construction

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 04015002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Stevens ◽  
Martin Kotol ◽  
Bruno Grunau ◽  
Colin Craven
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Heat Load ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Thermal Mass

scholarly journals On the Performance of Night Ventilation in a Historic Office Building in Nordic Climate

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 4159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Bakhtiari ◽  
Jan Akander ◽  
Mathias Cehlin ◽  
Abolfazl Hayati
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Coefficient Of Performance ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Electricity Use ◽  
Building Cooling ◽  
Night Ventilation

The effect of mechanical night ventilation on thermal comfort and electricity use for cooling of a typical historic office building in north-central Sweden was assessed. IDA-ICE simulation program was used to model the potential for improving thermal comfort and electricity savings by applying night ventilation cooling. Parametric study comprised different outdoor climates, flow rates, cooling machine’s coefficient of performance and ventilation units’ specific fan power values. Additionally, the effect of different door schemes (open or closed) on thermal comfort in offices was investigated. It was shown that night ventilation cannot meet the building’s total cooling demand and auxiliary active cooling is required, although the building is located in a cold climate. Night ventilation had the potential in decreasing the percentage of exceedance hours in offices by up to 33% and decreasing the total electricity use for cooling by up to 40%. More electricity is saved with higher night ventilation rates. There is, however, a maximum beneficial ventilation rate above which the increase in electricity use in fans outweighs the decrease in electricity use in cooling machine. It depends on thermal mass capacity of the building, cooling machine´s coefficient of performance, design ventilation rate, and available night ventilation cooling potential (ambient air temperature).

scholarly journals Performance of Wood-Based Panels Integrated with a Bio-Based Phase Change Material: A Full-Scale Experiment in a Cold Climate with Timber-Frame Huts

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Mathis ◽  
Pierre Blanchet ◽  
Philippe Lagière ◽  
Véronic Landry
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Heating Season ◽  
Timber Frame

The relatively low thermal mass of timber frame buildings is a limiting factor for their energy efficiency and for the thermal comfort. The aim of this study is to assess the performance of wood-based wallboards integrated with PCM (Phase Change Materials) in a cold climate (Québec, Canada), from the heating season to the summer. Two timber-frame test huts, of 2 × 2.5 × 3 m, were built following the National Building Code of Canada and placed in the LAVAL University Campus. The first hut was equipped with wood-based panels integrated with the commercial bio-based PCM Puretemp®23 with a 23 °C melting point. The second hut was equipped with standard interior wood panels. Large double glaze windows were installed facing south. Dry indoor air temperatures were recorded for both huts and for the heating season, heating consumptions were monitored. The behaviour of the two huts was compared and PCM panels efficiency was evaluated over several seasons. A reduction of heating consumption was observed for cold months. For the heating season, panels were found to be more efficient as the months were getting milder. By gathering solar energy during the day, they allowed to reduce the test-hut heating consumption, by a maximum of 41% in May. In summer, the PCM panels had a positive impact in order to reduce the hut overheating. However their efficiency was found limited by a poor ability of discharge during the night. The solidification of the PCM was often impossible to achieve due to unsuitable night conditions. The results presented in this study will improve the knowledge concerning wood/PCM composites performance and concerning PCMs issues in cold climates. This study exposes the potential of wood-based panels integrated with PCM to achieve winter energy savings and enhance the summer thermal comfort of a timber-frame building, for a cold Canadian climate.

scholarly journals Thermal comfort in winter incorporating solar radiation effects at high altitudes and performance of improved passive solar design—Case of Lhasa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingjiang Huang ◽  
Jian Kang
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Solar Irradiance ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
Energy Saving Potential ◽  
Environment Control ◽  
Passive Solar

AbstractThe solar incidence on an indoor environment and its occupants has significant impacts on indoor thermal comfort. It can bring favorable passive solar heating and can result in undesired overheating (even in winter). This problem becomes more critical for high altitudes with high intensity of solar irradiance, while received limited attention. In this study, we explored the specific overheating and rising thermal discomfort in winter in Lhasa as a typical location of a cold climate at high altitudes. First, we evaluated the thermal comfort incorporating solar radiation effect in winter by field measurements. Subsequently, we investigated local occupant adaptive responses (considering the impact of direct solar irradiance). This was followed by a simulation study of assessment of annual based thermal comfort and the effect on energy-saving potential by current solar adjustment. Finally, we discussed winter shading design for high altitudes for both solar shading and passive solar use at high altitudes, and evaluated thermal mass shading with solar louvers in terms of indoor environment control. The results reveal that considerable indoor overheating occurs during the whole winter season instead of summer in Lhasa, with over two-thirds of daytime beyond the comfort range. Further, various adaptive behaviors are adopted by occupants in response to overheating due to the solar radiation. Moreover, it is found that the energy-saving potential might be overestimated by 1.9 times with current window to wall ratio requirements in local design standards and building codes due to the thermal adaption by drawing curtains. The developed thermal mass shading is efficient in achieving an improved indoor thermal environment by reducing overheating time to an average of 62.2% during the winter and a corresponding increase of comfort time.

scholarly journals Optimization of Window Design for Daylight and Thermal Comfort in Cold Climate Conditions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 8013
Author(s):  
Tony-Andreas Arntsen ◽  
Bozena Dorota Hrynyszyn
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
National Level ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Window Design

Window design affects the overall performance of a building. It is important to include window design during the initial stages of a project since it influences the performance of daylight and thermal comfort as well as the energy demand for heating and cooling. The Norwegian building code facilitates two alternative methods for achieving a sufficient daylight, and only guidelines for adequate indoor thermal comfort. In this study, a typical Norwegian residential building was modeled to investigate whether the criteria and methods facilitate consistent and good performance through different scenario changes and furthermore, how the national regulations compare to European standards. A better insulated and more air-tight building has usually a lower annual heating demand, with only a marginal decrease in the daylight performance when the window design is unchanged. A more air-tight construction increases the risk of overheating, even in cold climates. This study confirms that a revision of the window design improves the overall performance of a building, which highlights the importance of proper window design. The pursuit of lower energy demand should not be at the expense of indoor thermal comfort considering the anticipated future weather conditions. This study indicates that criteria for thermal comfort and daylight, if clearly defined, can affect the energy demand for heating and cooling, as well as the indoor climate positively, and should be taken into account at the national level. A comparison between the national regulations and the European standards was made, and this study found that the results are not consistent.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Ventilation Performance of Different Air Distribution Systems in an Office Environment—Heating Mode

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arman Ameen ◽  
Mathias Cehlin ◽  
Ulf Larsson ◽  
Taghi Karimipanah
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Air Distribution ◽  
Temperature Pattern ◽  
Office Environment ◽  
Ventilation Effectiveness ◽  
Local Thermal Comfort ◽  
Heating Mode ◽  
Occupied Zone

A vital requirement for all-air ventilation systems are their functionality to operate both in cooling and heating mode. This article experimentally investigates two newly designed air distribution systems, corner impinging jet (CIJV) and hybrid displacement ventilation (HDV) in comparison against a mixing type air distribution system. These three different systems are examined and compared to one another to evaluate their performance based on local thermal comfort and ventilation effectiveness when operating in heating mode. The evaluated test room is an office environment with two workstations. One of the office walls, which has three windows, faces a cold climate chamber. The results show that CIJV and HDV perform similar to a mixing ventilation in terms of ventilation effectiveness close to the workstations. As for local thermal comfort evaluation, the results show a small advantage for CIJV in the occupied zone. Comparing C2-CIJV to C2-CMV the average draught rate (DR) in the occupied zone is 0.3% for C2-CIJV and 5.3% for C2-CMV with the highest difference reaching as high as 10% at the height of 1.7 m. The results indicate that these systems can perform as well as mixing ventilation when used in offices that require moderate heating. The results also show that downdraught from the windows greatly impacts on the overall airflow and temperature pattern in the room.

scholarly journals Outdoor Thermal Comfort at a University Campus: Studies from Personal and Long-Term Thermal History Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9284
Author(s):  
Jiao Xue ◽  
Xiao Hu ◽  
Shu Nuke Sani ◽  
Yuanyuan Wu ◽  
Xinyu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal History ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Outdoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Winter Climate

Thermally comfortable outdoor spaces have contributed to high-quality urban living. In order to provide a further understanding of the influences of gender and long-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort, this study conducted field surveys at a university campus in Shanghai, China by carrying out microclimatic monitoring and subjective questionnaires from May to October, 2019. The analysis of collected data found that, during our survey, 57% of the occupants felt comfortable overall and 40–60% of them perceived the microclimate variables (air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed) as “neutral”. The universal thermal climate index (UTCI) provided a better correlation with occupant thermal sensation than the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). Females were more sensitive to the outdoor thermal environment than males. Older age led to lower thermal sensation, but the thermal sensitivities for age groups of <20, 20–50, and >50 were similar. Occupants who had resided in Shanghai for a longer period showed higher overall comfort rating and lower thermal sensation. Interviewees who came from hot summer and cold winter climate regions were less effected by the change of UTCI than those from severe cold or cold climate regions.

Evaluation of vernacular and new housing indoor comfort conditions in cold climate – a field survey in eastern Turkey

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-226
Author(s):  
Fatma Kürüm Varolgüneş
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
General Information ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Visual Comfort ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Occupant Satisfaction

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare vernacular and new houses in terms of indoor occupant satisfaction and thermal and visual comfort in a region with cold climatic conditions. In line with the data obtained, the contribution of passive design techniques to comfort in housing indoor will be revealed. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the comfort conditions to be provided in a residence were determined and evaluated in Bingol with the help of questionnaires applied on vernacular and new houses. The information gathered from the occupants and the survey study was mainly designed for three purposes: (i) acquiring general information about houses; (ii) acquiring general information about occupants; and (iii) inquiring about the physical comfort satisfaction of the occupants (thermal comfort and visual comfort). Findings Although the average occupant satisfaction in terms of thermal performance in vernacular houses in summer and winter is 3.91, this average is 2.01 for new houses. The average of the general visual comfort of occupants in vernacular houses is 3.59, whereas this rate is 2.63 in new houses. According to the data obtained, occupant satisfaction was higher in vernacular houses than in new houses. In general, the new settlement area is designed and positioned independently of climate and environmental conditions. This situation increases the need to use mechanical systems to provide indoor thermal comfort conditions. The increase in the need for mechanical systems leads to a significant increase in energy expenditures, as well as deterioration of health conditions in places. Research limitations/implications To ensure occupant satisfaction, indoor thermal comfort conditions and healthy environments, vernacular houses should be an example for the design and building of new houses in terms of orientation, environment relations, space dimensions and space usage in accordance with the character of the region and material selection. Originality/value There has not been a serious research on bioclimatic, socioeconomic and cultural sustainability of the vernacular architecture of Bingol. Therefore, this region has been preferred as the study area.

Thermal comfort in high altitude Himalayan residential houses in Darjeeling, India – An adaptive approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samar Thapa
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Himalayan Region ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Adaptive Model ◽  
Eastern India ◽  
Comfort Zone ◽  
Chamber Study

The study of thermal comfort in buildings is required to maintain a stable and comfortable condition of the indoor environment. The climate chamber study used to determine thermal comfort is mathematically reproducible and robust, but exaggerative and hence is energy inefficient, whereas the adaptive model-based field survey method is exhaustive and bioclimatic specific. Although, several field survey-based thermal comfort studies have been reported from India, these studies were conducted mostly either in hot and humid or composite climatic condition, and very few research has been reported from cold climatic region, which lies mostly along the high altitudinal Himalayan region. In this paper, the results of field survey-based thermal comfort studies in residential houses of highly altitudinal Darjeeling Himalayan region in eastern India are presented. The study found that female subjects showed a lesser clothing cover but portrayed a higher discomfort with lower thermal sensation and higher comfort temperature. The comfort temperature as determined in this study did not comply with the ASHRAE standard 55 graphical method, and hence new comfort zone for regions with similar cold climate is proposed.

scholarly journals User Thermal Comfort in Historic Buildings: Evaluation of the Potential of Thermal Mass, Orientation, Evaporative Cooling and Ventilation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9672
Author(s):  
Mamdooh Alwetaishi ◽  
Ashraf Balabel ◽  
Ahmed Abdelhafiz ◽  
Usama Issa ◽  
Ibrahim Sharaky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Evaporative Cooling ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
The Impact

The study investigated the level of thermal comfort in historical buildings located at a relatively high altitude in the Arabian Desert of Saudi Arabia. The study focused on the impact of the use of thermal mass and orientation on the level of thermal performance at Shubra and Boqri Palaces. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were used in this study, including a questionnaire interview with architecture experts living at the relatively high altitude of Taif city, to obtain data and information from local experts. The computer software TAS EDSL was used along with on-site equipment, such as thermal imaging cameras and data loggers, to observe the physical conditions of the building in terms of its thermal performance. The study revealed that the experts’ age and years of experience were important aspects while collecting data from them during the survey. The use of thermal mass had a slight impact on the indoor air temperature as well as the energy consumption, but it helped in providing thermal comfort. Use of ventilation can improve thermal comfort level. Evaporative cooling technique has a considerable impact on reducing indoor air temperature with 4 °C drop, improving the thermal comfort sensation level. The novelty of this work is that, it links the outcomes of qualitative results of experts with field monitoring as well as computer modelling. This can contribute as method to accurately collect data in similar case studies.

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