A field study of thermal comfort performance for a slotted louvre ventilation system in a low energy retrofit

Abstract In this study, the effectiveness of a retrofitted natural ventilation system in a low energy building was evaluated, both subjectively and objectively, in response to an overheating scenario during shoulder seasons. Four ventilation configurations were evaluated including one control (no ventilation) configuration. Standardised questionnaires were used to evaluate the levels of subjective comfort based on ASHRAE guidelines and ISO 10551. Both subjective and objective evaluations were compared with three thermal comfort standards. Objectively, the strength of relationships between both individual parameters and indices were investigated and the errors between the actual and predicted mean thermal sensation was reported. The results indicated that the use of smaller openings provided a better mean thermal sensation than the use of a larger opening in response to an overheating scenario. Smaller louvre openings were found to achieve a sufficient level of subjective comfort in 30 min given a daily mean external temperature of 12 °C. This study found that standards varied in accuracy with ASHRAE 55 performing the best in predicting three out of four of the configurations accurately. The most accurate thermal comfort model was seen to be the effective temperature model with a mean absolute percentage error of 82%.

[1]  Maria Kolokotroni,et al.  A field study of wind dominant single sided ventilation through a narrow slotted architectural louvre system , 2017 .

[2]  Tarik Kousksou,et al.  Energy consumption and efficiency in buildings: current status and future trends , 2015 .

[3]  F. Nicol,et al.  Derivation of the adaptive equations for thermal comfort in free-running buildings in European standard EN15251 , 2010 .

[4]  Sung H. Hong,et al.  A field study of thermal comfort in low-income dwellings in England before and after energy efficient refurbishment , 2009 .

[5]  Gail Brager,et al.  Operable windows, personal control and occupant comfort. , 2004 .

[6]  Mario Grosso,et al.  Geo-climatic applicability of natural ventilative cooling in the Mediterranean area , 2015 .

[7]  Luisa F. Cabeza,et al.  Heating and cooling energy trends and drivers in buildings , 2015 .

[8]  Z. Lian,et al.  Investigation of gender difference in thermal comfort for Chinese people , 2008, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[9]  P. A. Østergaard,et al.  Potential of natural ventilation in temperate countries – A case study of Denmark , 2014 .

[10]  Zhihua Zhou,et al.  Achieving energy efficient buildings via retrofitting of existing buildings: a case study , 2016 .

[11]  C. Ghiaus,et al.  Potential for free-cooling by ventilation , 2006 .

[12]  Alan Shu Khen Kwan,et al.  An investigation into future performance and overheating risks in Passivhaus dwellings , 2013 .

[13]  Ali F. Alajmi,et al.  Thermal comfort assessment of an office building served by under-floor air distribution (UFAD) system – A case study , 2015 .

[14]  Bjarne W. Olesen,et al.  Thermal comfort: Design and assessment for energy saving , 2014 .

[15]  J. F. Nicol,et al.  The validity of ISO-PMV for predicting comfort votes in every-day thermal environments , 2002 .

[16]  Stefania Liuzzi,et al.  Evaluation of thermal comfort in university classrooms through objective approach and subjective preference analysis. , 2015, Applied ergonomics.

[17]  P. Fanger,et al.  Extension of the PMV model to non-air-conditioned buildings in warm climates , 2002 .

[18]  Liu Yang,et al.  Thermal comfort and building energy consumption implications - A review , 2014 .

[19]  A. K. Mishra,et al.  A thermal comfort field study of naturally ventilated classrooms in Kharagpur, India , 2015 .

[20]  S. Dutton,et al.  Health and economic implications of natural ventilation in California offices , 2013 .

[21]  L. Berglund,et al.  A standard predictive index of human response to the thermal environment , 1986 .

[22]  P. A. Østergaard,et al.  Energy saving potential of utilizing natural ventilation under warm conditions – A case study of Mexico , 2014 .

[23]  Hui Zhang,et al.  Air temperature thresholds for indoor comfort and perceived air quality , 2011 .

[24]  K. Fabbri,et al.  Indoor Thermal Comfort Perception , 2015 .

[25]  Alexis Versele,et al.  Impact of the use of a front door on thermal comfort in a classroom in a passive school , 2014 .

[26]  Mohd Nafiz Shaharon,et al.  Thermal Comfort Assessment-A Study Toward Workers Satisfaction in a Low Energy Office Building , 2012 .

[27]  Jens Pfafferott,et al.  Thermal Comfort and Energy-Efficient Cooling of Nonresidential Buildings , 2014 .

[28]  Bjarne W. Olesen,et al.  Effects of different cooling principles on thermal sensation and physiological responses , 2013 .

[29]  Andreas Wagner,et al.  Thermal comfort and workplace occupant satisfaction—Results of field studies in German low energy office buildings , 2007 .

[30]  Charles Culp,et al.  The effect of temperature, metabolic rate and dynamic localized airflow on thermal comfort , 2013 .

[31]  Bjarne W. Olesen,et al.  Occupant Responses and Office Work Performance in Environments with Moderately Drifting Operative Temperatures (RP-1269) , 2009 .

[32]  Maria Kolokotroni,et al.  Time-averaged Single Sided Ventilation Rates and Thermal Environment in Cooling Mode for a Low Energy Retrofit Envelope , 2014 .

[33]  R. Yao,et al.  A theoretical adaptive model of thermal comfort – Adaptive Predicted Mean Vote (aPMV) , 2009 .

[34]  Bahram Moshfegh,et al.  Evaluating indoor environment of a retrofitted multi-family building with improved energy performance in Sweden , 2015 .

[35]  Elvira Ianniello,et al.  PMV–PPD and acceptability in naturally ventilated schools , 2013 .

[36]  P. Fanger.  Assessment of man's thermal comfort in practice , 1973, British journal of industrial medicine.

[37]  Sung H. Hong,et al.  The impact of energy efficient refurbishment on the space heating fuel consumption in English dwellings , 2006 .

[38]  H. Rijal,et al.  Thermal comfort in offices in India: Behavioral adaptation and the effect of age and gender , 2015 .

[39]  Michael D. Murphy,et al.  Monetary savings produced by multiple microgrid controller configurations in a smart grid scenario , 2016, 2016 IEEE International Energy Conference (ENERGYCON).

[40]  William J. Fisk,et al.  Effect of temperature on task performance in officeenvironment , 2006 .

[41]  Gail Brager,et al.  Developing an adaptive model of thermal comfort and preference , 1998 .

[42]  M G Apte,et al.  Association of classroom ventilation with reduced illness absence: a prospective study in California elementary schools , 2013, Indoor air.

[43]  Ted Scully,et al.  Economic optimisation for a building with an integrated micro-grid connected to the national grid , 2015, 2015 World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST).

[44]  Steve Greenberg,et al.  Window operation and impacts on building energy consumption , 2015 .

[45]  Karim Limam,et al.  Comparison of natural and hybrid ventilation strategies used in classrooms in terms of indoor environmental quality, comfort and energy savings , 2014 .

[46]  Qinglin Meng,et al.  Thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings in hot-humid area of China , 2010 .

[47]  Maria Kolokotroni,et al.  Non Dimensional Analysis and Characterisation of Driving Forces for a Single Sided Slot Louvre Ventilation System , 2016 .

[48]  Standard Ashrae.  Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy , 1992 .