A field study on building inertia and its effects on indoor thermal environment

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Orosa, JA (Author) Other; Armando C. Oliveira (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Renewable Energy

Vol. 37

Pages: 89-96

ISSN: 0960-1481

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 57 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-HKT

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.06.009

Abstract (EN): Energy consumption in Spanish school buildings is higher during spring seasons. Thermal inertia of buildings can help to reduce such consumption, improve comfort, and even replace HVAC systems. This thermal inertia is usually associated to heavy wall construction, but the truth is there are other parameters that can have a significant effect on this property. This paper describes a field case study of school buildings with different types of wall construction, aimed at demonstrating real thermal inertia effects on indoor conditions. Besides air temperature measurements, HAM tools were used to simulate indoor air conditions. Results showed a good agreement between simulated and experimental air temperature results, and that other building construction parameters, such as the use of permeable coverings, may have a large impact on indoor thermal conditions and energy consumption.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8