Occupant behavior and thermal comfort field analysis in typical educational research institution: A case study

An experimental field study has been conducted for typical educational research building facility (office building). The research data was gathered by the systematic monitoring of the offices and adaptive occupant behavior during the typical working day in the spring period. Different sensors and data loggers for temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, had been mounted in order to collect data for analysis of thermal comfort conditions. Moreover, occupant surveys and interviews in form of questionnaire were also brought to examine the psychological and social impacts of the occupants? behavior regarding energy consumption. The inductive scientific method is used for data processing, i. e. descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the results was made. Based on the analysis of the conducted study, it was found that thermal environment of the observed building is within the standards (i. e. specific parameters are within the range) and that the occupants are generally satisfied with thermal conditions in their offices. However, they do not pay much attention to conserving energy which is an important finding as it is directly related to the energy consumption. Thus, more attention should be directed to the education of the users and in general, to enable energy savings in the future.

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Field Study Of A Radiant Heating System For Sleep Thermal Comfort And Potential Energy Saving

10.32920/ryerson.14654967 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher L. K. Wang

Keyword(s):

Potential Energy ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Energy Saving ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Residential Buildings ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Heating System ◽

The Body ◽

Radiant Temperature

As sleep is unconscious, the traditional definition of thermal comfort with conscious judgment does not apply. In this thesis sleep thermal comfort is defined as the thermal condition which enables sleep to most efficiently rejuvenate the body and mind. A comfort model was developed to stimulate the respective thermal environment required to achieve the desired body thermal conditions and a new infrared sphere method was developed to measure mean radiant temperature. Existing heating conditions according to building code conditions during sleeping hours was calculated to likely overheat a sleeping person and allowed energy saving potential by reducing nighttime heating set points. Experimenting with existing radiantly and forced air heated residential buildings, it was confirmed that thermal environment was too hot for comfortable sleep and that the infrared sphere method shows promise. With the site data, potential energy savings were calculated and around 10% of energy consumption reduction may be achieved during peak heating.

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Some evidence of a time-varying thermal perception

Indoor and Built Environment ◽

10.1177/1420326x211034563 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1420326X2110345

Author(s):

Marika Vellei ◽

William O’Brien ◽

Simon Martinez ◽

Jérôme Le Dréau

Keyword(s):

Thermal Comfort ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Time Varying ◽

Thermal Perception ◽

Indoor Thermal Environment ◽

Human Circadian Rhythm ◽

Comfort Criteria

Recent research suggests that a time-varying indoor thermal environment can lead to energy savings and contribute to boost buildings' energy flexibility. However, thermal comfort standardization has so far considered thermal comfort criteria as constant throughout the day. In general, very little attention has been given to the ‘ time of day' variable in the context of thermal comfort research. In this paper, we show some evidence of a time-varying thermal perception by using: (1) data from about 10,000 connected Canadian thermostats made available as part of the ‘ Donate Your Data' dataset and (2) about 22,000 samples of complete (objective + ‘ right-here-right-now' subjective) thermal comfort field data from the ASHRAE I and SCATs datasets. We observe that occupants prefer colder thermal conditions at 14:00 and progressively warmer ones in the rest of the day, indistinctively in the morning and evening. Neutral temperature differences between 08:00 and 14:00 and 14:00 and 20:00 are estimated to be of the order of 2°C. We hypothesize that the human circadian rhythm is the cause of this difference. Nevertheless, the results of this study are only based on observational data. Thermal comfort experiments in controlled environmental chambers are required to confirm these findings and to better elucidate the effects of light and circadian timing and their interaction on thermal perception.

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Analysis of the influence of cooling jets on the wind and thermal environment in football stadiums in hot climates

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology ◽

10.1177/0143624419894803 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 561-585 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fangliang Zhong ◽

John K Calautit ◽

Ben R Hughes

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Air Conditioning ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Optimized Design ◽

Outdoor Temperature ◽

World Cup ◽

Wind Environment ◽

The Spectator

After winning the bid of the FIFA’s World Cup 2022, Qatar is facing the greatest challenges in terms of minimizing substantial energy consumptions for air-conditioning of stadiums and maintaining aero-thermal comfort for both players and spectators inside stadiums. This paper presents the results of temperature distributions and wind environment of the original stadium under the hot-humid climate and improvements on them for optimized scenarios of cooling jets. A combined computational fluid dynamics and building energy simulation approach was used to analyse the cooling performance and energy consumption per match of cooling air jets for 10 scenarios with different supply velocities, supply temperatures and locations of jets. The optimal scenario is to employ vertical jets above the upper tiers at supply temperature of 20°C and velocities of 2–12 m/s, integrated with horizontal jets of the same temperature at the lower tiers with 4 m/s and around the pitch with 7 m/s. This scenario can maintain the spectator tiers at an average temperature of 22°C and reduce the maximum predicted percentage of dissatisfied of thermal comfort from the original 100% to 63% for the pitch and 19% for the tiers, respectively. In terms of the energy consumption for the air-conditioning system per match, compared with one of the 2010 South Africa World Cup stadiums Royal Bafokeng stadium which consumed approximately 22.8 MWh energy for air-conditioning in winter (highest outdoor temperature 24.4°C), the maximum energy consumption of the optimal scenario in November (highest outdoor temperature 34.2°C) can reach 108 MWh. In addition, the spectator zones with scenario 8 have the potential to be resilient to the seasonal change of outdoor temperature if slight modifications of the supply velocities and precise temperature control on the spectator zones are applied. Moreover, the configurations presented in this paper can be used as a foundation of jets arrangement for future stadium retrofits in the hot climates. Practical application: This study assesses the aero-thermal conditions of a case study stadium under the hot climate of Qatar and explores the potential of applying cooling jets with different supply velocities, supply temperatures and their locations on the enhancement of both thermal and wind environment of spectator tiers and pitch. The assessment of the original stadium indicates that the ascending curved roof structure impedes the fresh air entering into the stadium and results in an asymmetric temperature distribution on the spectator tiers. The optimized design suggests a combination of vertical jets under the roof and both three arrays of horizontal jets at lower tiers and around pitch for future stadium optimizations in hot climates. It also recommends enhancing the thermal conditions on the pitch by optimizing the velocity of horizontal jets around the pitch. Moreover, the future design of the exact stadiums to be resilient to the seasonal changing outdoor temperature can be implemented based on scenario 8.

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Effect of external solar shading usage on energy consumption and thermal comfort in the student dormitory in Niš

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/201911103050 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 111 ◽

pp. 03050

Author(s):

Dragana Krstić ◽

Miomir Vasov ◽

Veliborka Bogdanović ◽

Marko Ignjatović ◽

Dušan Ranđelović

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Parametric Study ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Point Of View ◽

South Side ◽

Solar Shading ◽

Shading Devices

External fixed shadings are largely used to provide solar protection for building glazed surfaces. They are reducing heat gains and sensational visual discomfort caused by excessive daylighting. This paper presents a comparative study on external aluminium fixed shadings used on a student dormitory on different orientations and different slat angles. The purpose is to determine which slat angles are best to use in different orientations, from the point of view of energy consumption, thermal comfort, and daylighting. An analysis of annual energy consumption of the student dormitory was performed by using the software EnergyPlus, whereas the model of the building was created using SketchUp and OpenStudio software. Then, a parametric study was carried out by changing slat angles and building orientations, in order to find the best-balanced results with no occupant discomfort and possible energy savings. Results have shown that by considering the most balanced results between energy savings and thermal comfort, the best angles of the slats are from 105˚ to 120˚ on the south side, and from 45˚ to 75˚ on the east and west sides. By installing external shading devices, indoor thermal conditions are improving and may lead to significant energy savings, compared to a building without shading devices.

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Field Study Of A Radiant Heating System For Sleep Thermal Comfort And Potential Energy Saving

10.32920/ryerson.14654967.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher L. K. Wang

Keyword(s):

Potential Energy ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Energy Saving ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Residential Buildings ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Heating System ◽

The Body ◽

Radiant Temperature

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Energy-saving potential of intermittent heating system: Influence of composite phase change wall and optimization strategy

Energy Exploration & Exploitation ◽

10.1177/0144598720969217 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 014459872096921

Author(s):

Yanru Li ◽

Enshen Long ◽

Lili Zhang ◽

Xiangyu Dong ◽

Suo Wang

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Phase Change ◽

Air Temperature ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Optimization Strategy ◽

Indoor Thermal Environment ◽

Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽

Intermittent Heating

In the Yangtze River zone of China, the heating operation in buildings is mainly part-time and part-space, which could affect the indoor thermal comfort while making the thermal process of building envelope different. This paper proposed to integrate phase change material (PCM) to building walls to increase the indoor thermal comfort and attenuate the temperature fluctuations during intermittent heating. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of this kind of composite phase change wall (composite-PCW) on the indoor thermal environment and energy consumption of intermittent heating, and further develop an optimization strategy of intermittent heating operation by using EnergyPlus simulation. Results show that the indoor air temperature of the building with the composite-PCW was 2–3°C higher than the building with the reference wall (normal foamed concrete wall) during the heating-off process. Moreover, the indoor air temperature was higher than 18°C and the mean radiation temperature was above 20°C in the first 1 h after stopping heating. Under the optimized operation condition of turning off the heating device 1 h in advance, the heat release process of the composite-PCW to the indoor environment could maintain the indoor thermal environment within the comfortable range effectively. The composite-PCW could decrease 4.74% of the yearly heating energy consumption compared with the reference wall. The optimization described can provide useful information and guidance for the energy saving of intermittently heated buildings.

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

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14206597 ◽

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.

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A Review of the Impact of Vegetation in Solar Control towards Enhanced Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance in Buildings

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.887.428 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 887 ◽

pp. 428-434

Author(s):

Dorcas A. Ayeni ◽

Olaniyi O. Aluko ◽

Morisade O. Adegbie

Keyword(s):

Thermal Comfort ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Building Design ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Tropical Region ◽

Indoor Climate ◽

Solar Control ◽

The Impact

Man requires a thermal environment that is within the range of his adaptive capacity and if this fluctuates outside the normal, a reaction is required beyond its adaptive capacity which results to health challenges. Therefore, the aim of building design in the tropical region is to minimize the heat gain indoors and enhance evaporative cooling of the occupants of the space so as to achieve thermal comfort. In most cases, the passive technologies are not adequate in moderating indoor climate for human comfort thereby relying on active energy technique to provide the needed comfort for the building users. The need for the use of vegetation as a panacea for achieving comfortable indoor thermal conditions in housing is recognised by architects globally. However, the practice by architects in Nigeria is still at the lower ebb. The thrust of this paper therefore is to examine the impact of vegetation in solar control reducing thermal discomfort in housing thereby enhancing the energy performance of the buildings. Using secondary data, the paper identifies the benefits of vegetation in and around buildings to include improvement of indoor air quality through the aesthetics quality of the environment and concludes that vegetation in and around building will in no small measure contributes to saving energy consumption.

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ANALISIS PENGARUH BENTUK SERAMBI MASJID TERHADAP KENYAMANAN TERMAL ADAPTIF

Jurnal Arsitektur ARCADE ◽

10.31848/arcade.v4i3.522 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 261

Author(s):

Abdul Qodir ◽

Erni Setyowati ◽

Suryono Suryono

Keyword(s):

Thermal Comfort ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Temperature Range ◽

Adaptive Thermal Comfort ◽

Environment Variables ◽

Average Condition ◽

Radiant Temperature ◽

Thermal Preferences ◽

Neutral Conditions

This study examines the effect of the porch on the adaptive thermal comfort of mosques by taking 2 mosques that have different porch shapes with the specific purpose of obtaining data on the neutrality, acceptability and preferences of the mosque respondents' thermal conditions in the framework of developing adaptive thermal comfort standards for Indonesia. Measurement of physical environment variables is done by taking data on temperature, humidity, air velocity, and mean radiant temperature (MRT) at 2 mosques and at the same time the impression and thermal preference questionnaire data are taken, examination of clothing types and activities, and list of thermal environment controls to 40 respondents in each mosque. Data of thermal neutrality and thermal preferences were analyzed by regression analysis using SPSS 19 software, while thermal acceptance was analyzed based on the results of the questionnaire answers. The analysis showed that the neutrality value at Ulul Albab mosque was Tdb = 28.47 OC, ET * = 30.11 OC, SET * = 23.11 OC, TSENS = 1.17, DISC = -1.06, and PMV = -0.65, this data shows that the neutral condition desired by respondents is slightly below the average condition, while the neutrality in Nurul Ilmi mosque at Tdb = 30.27 OC, ET * = 31.65 OC, SET * = 29.05 OC, TSENS = 1.03, DISC = 1.68, and PMV = 1.22, this data also shows that the neutral conditions desired by respondents are slightly below average conditions. While the preference value at Ulul Albab mosque is Tdb = 22.25 OC, ET * = 28.62 OC, SET * = 24.24 OC, TSENS = 0.23, DISC = 0.23, and PMV = -0.60 and preference conditions at Nurul Ilmi mosque at Tdb = 29.11 OC, ET * = 31.17 OC, SET * = 28.50 OC, TSENS = 1.04, DISC = 1.45, and PMV = 1.03. As many as 92% of respondents in the Ulul Albab mosque can accept local thermal conditions in the temperature range of 27oC - 31oC. While 90% of respondents in the Nurul Ilmi mosque can accept local thermal conditions in the temperature range of 27oC-32oC. The results of the neutrality, acceptance and preference analysis show that the Ulul Albab mosque is better than the Nurul Ilmi mosque.

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