The effect of different transitional spaces on thermal comfort and energy consumption of residential buildings

Purpose- This paper focuses on the effect of courtyards, atria and sunspaces on indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption for heating and cooling. One of the most important purposes is to understand if certain transitional spaces can reduce the energy consumption of and improve thermal comfort in houses. Method of Research- To conduct this research, 4 building types were modelled and simulated in three different climates with DesignBuilder. From these simulations, the energy consumption of the dwellings is determined. Moreover, the indoor temperature data were plotted on adaptive temperature boundary charts. Findings- This paper shows that a courtyard is the least efficient dwelling type for the Netherlands, while an atrium has better energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort. Moreover, a sunspace is not recommended for the hotter climates of Cairo and Barcelona since there is a risk of overheating in summer. The paper also reports that although a building type may not be energy-efficient (in comparison with other types), it may still provide a comfortable addition to a dwelling.

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