Index to quantify thermal comfort in homes
The discomfort index presented here quantifies the thermal discomfort associated with the design and operation of residential buildings during the heating season. Discomfort under steady-state conditions is estimated from the squared difference between the actual and a preferred temperature (which is assumed to vary with clothing and activity levels). The difference is found using a simple linear approximation to the ASHRAE ET that treats humidity effects only implicity. A penalty is also assessed for transient discomfort effects. The index allows calibration for individual preferences. The proposed index is similar to the currently used Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied, but is simpler and better suited to simulations of residential environments. Simulations can integrate the index over a heating season along with energy use to estimate the overall thermal performance of a building. These two complementary aspects of performance can be combined into one overall index, by using thermostat settings as an indicator of the relative weights that people assign to comfort and energy use.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-79AL10891
- OSTI ID:
- 6370530
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-801016-(Vol.2)
- Journal Information:
- Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States), Vol. 5.2; Conference: 5. national passive solar conference, Amherst, MA, USA, 19 Oct 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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14 SOLAR ENERGY
HOUSES
THERMAL COMFORT
MEASURING METHODS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
SIMULATION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
320100* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings
140901 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling