scholarly journals Influence of Urban Microclimate on Air-Conditioning Energy Needs and Indoor Thermal Comfort in Houses

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng-Chi Liao ◽  
Ming-Jen Cheng ◽  
Ruey-Lung Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Urban Microclimate ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Hourly Data

A long-term climate measurement was implemented in the third largest city of Taiwan, for the check of accuracy of morphing approach on generating the hourly data of urban local climate. Based on observed and morphed meteorological data, building energy simulation software EnergyPlus was used to simulate the cooling energy consumption of an air-conditioned typical flat and the thermal comfort level of a naturally ventilated typical flat. The simulated results were used to quantitatively discuss the effect of urban microclimate on the energy consumption as well as thermal comfort of residential buildings. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for city planning and energy management divisions to study urban sustainability strategies in the future.

ENHANCING THERMAL COMFORT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THROUGH A DUAL FUNCTIONAL PASSIVE SYSTEM (SOLAR-WALL)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-177
Author(s):  
Shouib Mabdeh ◽  
Tamer Al Radaideh ◽  
Montaser Hiyari
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Passive System ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Dual Functional ◽  
Solar Wall ◽  
New System

ABSTRACT Thermal comfort has a great impact on occupants’ productivity and general well-being. Since people spend 80–90% of their time indoors, developing the tools and methods that enhance the thermal comfort for building are worth investigating. Previous studies have proved that using passive systems like Trombe walls and solar chimneys significantly enhanced thermal comfort in inside spaces despite that each system has a specific purpose within a specific climate condition. Hence, the main purpose of this study is to design and configure a new, dual functional passive system, called a solar wall. The new system combines the Trombe wall and solar chimney, and it can cool or heat based on building needs. Simulation software, DesignBuilder, has been used to configure the Solar Wall, and study its impact on indoor operative temperature for the base case. Using the new system, the simulation results were compared with those obtained in the base case and analyzed to determine the most efficient system design parameters and implementation method. The case that gave the best results for solar wall configuration was triple glazed glass and 0.1 cm copper as an absorber (case 11). The results show that using four units (case D) achieves longer thermal comfort levels: 15 to 24 thermal hours during winter (compared to five hours maximum) and 10 to 19 comfort hours in summer (compared to zero).

ENHANCING THERMAL COMFORT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THROUGH DUAL FUNCTIONAL PASSIVE SYSTEM (SOLAR-WALL)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-161
Author(s):  
Shouib Mabdeh ◽  
Tamer Al Radaideh ◽  
Montaser Hiyari
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Passive System ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Dual Functional ◽  
Solar Wall ◽  
New System

ABSTRACT Thermal comfort has a great effect on occupants’ productivity and general well-being. Since people spend 80–90% of their time indoors, developing the tools and methods that help in enhancing the thermal comfort for buildings are worth investigating. Previous studies have proved that using passive systems like Trombe walls and solar chimneys significantly enhanced thermal comfort in inside spaces despite that each system has a specific purpose within a specific climate condition. Hence, the main purpose of this study is to design and configure a new dual functional passive system, called a solar wall. The new system combines the Trombe wall and solar chimney, and it can cool or heat based on building needs. Simulation software, DesignBuilder, has been used to configure the Solar Wall and study its impact on indoor operative temperature for the base case. Using the new system, the simulation results were compared with those obtained in the base case and analyzed to determine the most efficient system design parameters and implementation method. The case that gave the best results for solar wall configuration was triple glazed glass and 0.1 cm copper as an absorber (case 11). The results show that using four units (case D) achieves longer thermal comfort levels: 15 to 24 thermal hours during winter (compared to five hours maximum) and 10 to 19 comfort hours in summer (compared to zero).

scholarly journals Determination of Optimum Envelope of Religious Buildings in Terms of Thermal Comfort and Energy Consumption: Mosque Cases

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6597
Author(s):  
Ahmet Bircan Atmaca ◽  
Gülay Zorer Gedik ◽  
Andreas Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Gain Factor ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Savings Rate

Mosques are quite different from other building types in terms of occupant type and usage schedule. For this reason, they should be evaluated differently from other building types in terms of thermal comfort and energy consumption. It is difficult and probably not even necessary to create homogeneous thermal comfort in mosques’ entire usage area, which has large volumes and various areas for different activities. Nevertheless, energy consumption should be at a minimum level. In order to ensure that mosques are minimally affected by outdoor climatic changes, the improvement of the properties of the building envelope should have the highest priority. These optimal properties of the building envelope have to be in line with thermal comfort in mosques. The proposed method will be a guide for designers and occupants in the design process of new mosques or the use of existing mosques. The effect of the thermal properties of the building envelope on energy consumption was investigated to ensure optimum energy consumption together with an acceptable thermal comfort level. For this purpose, a parametric simulation study of the mosques was conducted by varying optical and thermal properties of the building envelope for a temperature humid climate zone. The simulation results were analyzed and evaluated according to current standards, and an appropriate envelope was determined. The results show that thermal insulation improvements in the roof dome of buildings with a large volume contributed more to energy savings than in walls and foundations. The use of double or triple glazing in transparent areas is an issue that should be considered together with the solar energy gain factor. Additionally, an increasing thickness of thermal insulation in the building envelope contributed positively to energy savings. However, the energy savings rate decreased after a certain thickness. The proposed building envelope achieved a 33% energy savings compared to the base scenario.

scholarly journals CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UNA VIVIENDA SOLAR EN BASE A LAS PROPIEDADES TERMOFISICAS Y EVALUACIÓN EXPERIMENTAL DE SU CONFORT TÉRMICO EN ILAVE

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
ARTURO FLORES CONDORI
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermophysical Properties ◽  
Experimental Evaluation ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Thermal Inertia ◽  
Living Condition ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Experimental Structure

<h4 class="text-primary">Resumen</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">El presente artículo consistió en la construcción de una vivienda solar pasivo a base de propiedades termofísicas (Conductividad térmica, calor específico, difusividad térmica y inercia térmica) y desarrollar una evaluación experimental del rendimiento térmico aportado por los elementos constructivos, en una comunidad rural Colloco - Ilave, provisto de adecuado aislamiento térmico en la envolvente (doble pared de adobe, en el cielo raso: paja­carrizo-yeso y en el piso: tierra apisonada-cama de piedra-plástico-paja y totora), ubicación, la orientación y un sistema de acumulación de energía adecuadamente diseñada a base a encapsulado de piedras andesitas porosas y de totora. La distribución de energía calorífica almacenada fue primordial al ambiente dormitorio que esto permite el aprovechamiento de la energía solar para lograr que la temperatura al interior de la vivienda sea más confortable. Se realizó el análisis del comportamiento térmico de la vivienda construida y la vivienda rural típica, para lo cual se tomaron los datos meteorológicos de la zona (temperatura, humedad relativa, velocidad del viento y radiación solar), también se registraron la temperatura y humedad relativa del aire en el ambiente interior y exterior de las viviendas desde 19 de junio al 02 de julio del 2013. Obteniéndose en la vivienda construida las temperaturas máximas y mínimas de 15.85ºC y 11.88ºC respectivamente. Según la evaluación de la vivienda construida se aprecia un incremento de temperatura mínimo de 6.26°C, respecto a la vivienda típica. Para validar estos resultados experimentales, se ha utilizado el programa de simulación térmica EnergyPlus para los datos meteorológicos de la zona (3 868 msnm), comprobándose por el método correlativo, el factor de correlación fue r=0.92575. Este incremento de la temperatura en el interior de la vivienda construida contribuye alcanzar un confort térmico, permitiendo una condición de vida saludable para el poblador rural.</p><p><strong>PALABRAS CLAVE: </strong>* confort térmico * energía solar * propiedades termofísica * simulación térmica</p><h4 class="text-primary">ABSTRACT</h4><p><strong>CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR DWELLING BASED ON THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THERMAL COMFORT - ILAVE, PUNO - PERU»</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The present article consists in the construction of a passive solar house based on the study of thermophysical properties (thermal conductivity, specific heat, thermal diffusivity and thermal inertia). We developed an experimental evaluation of the thermal efficiency contributed by different constructive materials, In the rural community of Colloco - Ilave. Once adequate thermal insulation was provided in the enveloping surface (double wall construction of sun-dried adobe brick, a false ceiling with: straw, bamboo and plaster. In the floor: tamped soil, stone bed, plastic, straw and totora reed). Location and position of the solar home in coordination with an energy accumulation system adequately designed with an encapsulation of porous Andesitic stones and Totora reed. Distribution of the stored thermal energy was directed primarily to the main bedroom, this enabled adequate use of solar energy in order to achieve a comfortable temperature within the dwelling. We analyzed the thermal behavior of both this experimental structure and that of a common rural dwelling; taking the interior and exterior meteorological readings found in the two dwelling types. (temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity and solar radiation). Between June 19th and July 2nd, the temperature and relative humidity of the interior of the experimental structure measured a max. of 15.85ºC (60.53ºF) and 11.88ºC (53.384ºF) respectively. According to a general evaluation of the experimental structure, there was a temperature increment of 6.26°C (=¿?ºF) compared to the average temperature of a normal dwelling. In order to confirm these experimental results we used the thermic simulation software EnergyPlus, entering the meteorological data of the area (3,868 meters above sea level=12690.3 ft.) using the correlative method and a correlative factor of r=0.92575. This higher temperature inside of the experimental structure contributes to attaining a thermic comfort allowing for a healthy living condition for the rural inhabitant.</p><p><strong>KEY WORDS: </strong>* thermal comfort * solar energy * thermophysical properties * thermal simulation</p>

scholarly journals Sensitivity Analysis of Occupant Preferences on Energy Usage in Residential Buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaleb Pattawi ◽  
Prateek Munankarmi ◽  
Michael Blonsky ◽  
Jeff Maguire ◽  
Sivasathya Pradha Balamurugan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Home Energy Management ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Residential buildings, accounting for 37% of the total electricity consumption in the United States, are suitable for demand response (DR) programs to support effective and economical operation of the power system. A home energy management system (HEMS) enables residential buildings to participate in such programs, but it is also important for HEMS to account for occupant preferences to ensure occupant satisfaction. For example, people who prefer a higher thermal comfort level are likely to consume more energy. In this study, we used foresee™, a HEMS developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), to perform a sensitivity analysis of occupant preferences with the following objectives: minimize utility cost, minimize carbon footprint, and maximize thermal comfort. To incorporate the preferences into the HEMS, the SMARTER method was used to derive a set of weighting factors for each objective. We performed week-long building energy simulations using a model of a home in Fort Collins, Colorado, where there is mandatory time-of-use electricity rate structure. The foresee™ HEMS was used to control the home with six different sets of occupant preferences. The study shows that occupant preferences can have a significant impact on energy consumption and is important to consider when modeling residential buildings. Results show that the HEMS could achieve energy reduction ranging from 3% to 21%, cost savings ranging from 5% to 24%, and carbon emission reduction ranging from 3% to 21%, while also maintaining a low thermal discomfort level ranging from 0.78 K-hour to 6.47 K-hour in a one-week period during winter. These outcomes quantify the impact of varying occupant preferences and will be useful in controlling the electrical grid and developing HEMS solutions.

The applicability of nearly/net zero energy residential buildings in Brazil – A study of a low standard dwelling in three different Brazilian climate zones

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2096115
Author(s):  
Jaime Resende ◽  
Marta Monzón-Chavarrías ◽  
Helena Corvacho
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Performance Standard ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Climate Zones ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

Buildings account for 34% of world energy consumption and about half of electricity consumption. The nearly/Net Zero Energy Building (nZEB/NZEB) concepts are regarded as solutions for minimizing this problem. The countries of Southern Europe, which included the nZEB concept recently in their regulatory requirements, have both heating and cooling needs, which adds complexity to the problem. Brazil may benefit from their experience since most of the Brazilian climate zones present significant similarities to the Southern European climate. Brazil recently presented a household energy consumption increase, and a growing trend in the use of air conditioning is predicted for the coming decades. Simulations with various wall and roof solutions following the Brazilian Performance Standard were carried out in a low standard single-family house in three different climate zones in order to evaluate thermal comfort conditions and energy needs. Results show that in milder climate zones, achieving thermal comfort with a low energy consumption is possible, and there is a great potential to achieve a net zero-energy balance. In the extreme hot climate zone, a high cooling energy consumption is needed to provide thermal comfort, and the implementation of a nearly zero-energy balance may be more feasible.

scholarly journals A Review on Energy Consumption Optimization Techniques in IoT Based Smart Building Environments

Information ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Shah ◽  
Haidawati Nasir ◽  
Muhammad Fayaz ◽  
Adidah Lajis ◽  
Asadullah Shah
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Optimization Algorithms ◽  
Energy Optimization ◽  
Smart Homes ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Energy Consumption Optimization ◽  
User Comfort

In recent years, due to the unnecessary wastage of electrical energy in residential buildings, the requirement of energy optimization and user comfort has gained vital importance. In the literature, various techniques have been proposed addressing the energy optimization problem. The goal of each technique is to maintain a balance between user comfort and energy requirements, such that the user can achieve the desired comfort level with the minimum amount of energy consumption. Researchers have addressed the issue with the help of different optimization algorithms and variations in the parameters to reduce energy consumption. To the best of our knowledge, this problem is not solved yet due to its challenging nature. The gaps in the literature are due to advancements in technology, the drawbacks of optimization algorithms, and the introduction of new optimization algorithms. Further, many newly proposed optimization algorithms have produced better accuracy on the benchmark instances but have not been applied yet for the optimization of energy consumption in smart homes. In this paper, we have carried out a detailed literature review of the techniques used for the optimization of energy consumption and scheduling in smart homes. Detailed discussion has been carried out on different factors contributing towards thermal comfort, visual comfort, and air quality comfort. We have also reviewed the fog and edge computing techniques used in smart homes.

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