Atualmente as pessoas passam grande parte do tempo dentro de veículos automotivos seja por razões profissionais ou lazer. Este fato tem contribuído para aumentar o interesse das montadoras de veículos na avaliação de condições de conforto de passageiros em veículos automotivos. Os critérios do consumidor, na escolha e compra de um automóvel, têm mudado e agora não envolvem somente aspectos relacionados ao custo e desempenho do veículo, mas também a aspectos de segurança e conforto. O ambiente térmico no interior de um automóvel é bastante complexo e não homogêneo. A forma mais adequada para se avaliar simultaneamente os efeitos da temperatura do ar local, trocas de calor por radiação do corpo, velocidades do ar e a radiação solar em um veículo é por meio do uso de manequins. No presente trabalho foi realizado estudo da utilização de manequins na avaliação de condições de conforto térmico em veículos automotivos e a realização de ensaios em automóveis de passeio. Os ensaios foram realizados em três automóveis (veículo A, veículo B e veículo C), modelos standard, com sistema de climatização para avaliação de condições de conforto térmico para condições de verão (resfriamento) e de inverno (aquecimento). Na avaliação das condições de conforto térmico foram utilizadas temperaturas equivalentes, cujo procedimento de determinação utilizando manequins foi baseado na norma ISO 14505-2. Nos ensaios realizados para as condições de verão (resfriamento), pode-se verificar que em nenhum veículo foram observadas condições de conforto térmico para os vários segmentos do manequim quando os veículos estavam ao sol. Já quando o veículo estava sob a sombra, todos os veículos atingiram facilmente uma condição de conforto (com uma leve sensação de frio em alguns segmentos do manequim). Nos ensaios para condições de inverno (aquecimento) verificou-se que, na ausência da radiação solar e com temperaturas externas mais baixas, os sistemas de climatização conseguiram proporcionar melhores condições térmicas no interior dos veículos, apresentando condições de conforto térmico em quase todas as situações. O automóvel B foi o que apresentou as melhores condições de conforto térmico tanto nos ensaios para condições de verão (resfriamento) quanto de inverno (aquecimento); o que é um bom indicativo de um melhor controle e distribuição de ar naquele veículo. / Nowadays people pass great part of the time inside automotive vehicles due to professional reasons or leisure. This fact has been contributing to increase the OEMs interest in the evaluation of comfort conditions of passengers in automotive vehicles. The consumers criteria, in the choice and acquisition of an automobile, have been changing and now it does not only involve aspects related to the cost and performance of the vehicle, but also involves aspects of safety and comfort. The thermal environment inside an automobile is very complex and no homogeneous. The most appropriate form to evaluate simultaneously the effects of the local air temperature, radiation heat changes of the body, air velocities and the solar radiation in a vehicle are by means of the use of mannequins. In the present work a study of the use of mannequins in the evaluation of thermal comfort conditions in automotive vehicles was done and tests in automobiles were accomplished. The tests were accomplished in three automobiles (vehicle A, vehicle B and vehicle C), standard models, with climatization system for the evaluation of thermal comfort conditions for summer conditions (cooling) and for winter conditions (heating). In the evaluation of thermal comfort conditions equivalent temperatures were used, whose determination procedure using mannequins was based on the norm ISO 14505-2. In the tests accomplished for summer conditions (cooling), it could be verified that in any vehicle conditions of thermal comfort were observed for the segments of the mannequin when the vehicles were in the sun. Already when the vehicle was under the shadow, all the vehicles reached a comfort condition easily (with a light sensation of cold in some segments of the mannequin). In the tests for winter conditions (heating) it was verified that, in the absence of the solar radiation and with lower external temperatures, the climatization systems got to provide better thermal conditions inside the vehicles, presenting conditions of thermal comfort in almost all the situations. The automobile B was what presented the best conditions of thermal comfort so much in the tests for summer conditions (cooling) as for winter conditions (heating); what is a good indicative of a better climatization control and air distribution in that vehicle.

<p>The main objectives of this thesis have been to evaluate how, under which premises, and to what extent building thermal mass can contribute to reduce the net energy demand in office buildings. The thesis also assesses the potential thermal environmental benefits of utilizing thermal mass in office buildings, i.e. reduction of temperature peaks, reduction of temperature swings, and the reduction in the number of hours with excessive operative temperatures. This has been done by literature searches, and experimental and analytical assessments. This thesis mainly concerns office buildings in the Norwegian climate. However, the methods used and the results obtained from this work are transferable to other countries with similar climates and building codes.</p><p>Within the limitations of this thesis and based on the findings from all parts and papers this thesis comprises, it is shown that utilization of thermal mass in office buildings reduces the daytime peak temperature, reduces the diurnal temperature swing, decreases the number of hours with excessive temperatures, and increases the ability of a space to handle daytime heat loads. Exposed thermal mass also contributes to decrease the net cooling demand in buildings. However, thermal mass is found to have only a minor influence on the heating demand in office buildings.</p><p>The quantity of the achievements is dependent on the amount of exposed thermal mass, night ventilation strategy, and airflow rates. In addition, parameters such as set point temperatures, control ranges, occupancy patterns, daytime ventilation airflow rates, and prevailing convection regimes are influential for the achieved result. The importance of these parameters are quantified and discussed.</p> / <p>Hovedmålene med denne avhandlingen har vært å evaluere hvordan, under hvilke forutsetninger og i hvilken utstrekning termisk masse kan bidra til å redusere netto energibehov i kontorbygninger. Avhandlingen vurderer også hvilke potensielle fordeler termisk masse har for det termiske inneklimaet, dvs. reduksjon av maksimumstemperatur, temperatursvingninger og antall timer med overtemperaturer. Disse undersøkelsene er gjort gjennom søk i litteraturen, feltstudier og analytiske metoder. Avhandlingen omfatter i hovedsak kontorbygninger under norske forhold, men metodene og resultatene er overførbare til andre land med sammenlignbare klimatiske forhold og byggeskikk.</p><p>Innenfor avgrensningene gjort i avhandlingen og basert funnene i de ulike delene og artiklene avhandlingen består av, er det vist at utnyttelse av termisk masse i kontorbygg bidrar til å redusere netto energibehov. Termisk masse reduserer også maksimumstemperaturen dagtid, demper temperaturvariasjonene over døgnet og reduserer antall timer med overtemperaturer. Utnyttelse av termisk masse bidrar også til at rom kan tåle en høyere intern varmelast enn lette rom uten at dette går ut over den termiske komforten. Termisk masse har imidlertid liten betydning for energibehovet for oppvarming i kontorbygg.</p><p>Gevinsten med å utnytte termisk masse avhenger av tilgjengeligheten av eksponerte tunge materialer, strategi for nattventilasjon og ventilasjonsluftmengder. I tillegg innvirker parametere som settpunkttemperaturer, dødbånd og kontrollintervaller for ventilasjonen og bruksmønster. Innvirkningen av disse parametrene er diskutert og kvantifisert.</p>

The main objectives of this thesis have been to evaluate how, under which premises, and to what extent building thermal mass can contribute to reduce the net energy demand in office buildings. The thesis also assesses the potential thermal environmental benefits of utilizing thermal mass in office buildings, i.e. reduction of temperature peaks, reduction of temperature swings, and the reduction in the number of hours with excessive operative temperatures. This has been done by literature searches, and experimental and analytical assessments. This thesis mainly concerns office buildings in the Norwegian climate. However, the methods used and the results obtained from this work are transferable to other countries with similar climates and building codes. Within the limitations of this thesis and based on the findings from all parts and papers this thesis comprises, it is shown that utilization of thermal mass in office buildings reduces the daytime peak temperature, reduces the diurnal temperature swing, decreases the number of hours with excessive temperatures, and increases the ability of a space to handle daytime heat loads. Exposed thermal mass also contributes to decrease the net cooling demand in buildings. However, thermal mass is found to have only a minor influence on the heating demand in office buildings. The quantity of the achievements is dependent on the amount of exposed thermal mass, night ventilation strategy, and airflow rates. In addition, parameters such as set point temperatures, control ranges, occupancy patterns, daytime ventilation airflow rates, and prevailing convection regimes are influential for the achieved result. The importance of these parameters are quantified and discussed. / Hovedmålene med denne avhandlingen har vært å evaluere hvordan, under hvilke forutsetninger og i hvilken utstrekning termisk masse kan bidra til å redusere netto energibehov i kontorbygninger. Avhandlingen vurderer også hvilke potensielle fordeler termisk masse har for det termiske inneklimaet, dvs. reduksjon av maksimumstemperatur, temperatursvingninger og antall timer med overtemperaturer. Disse undersøkelsene er gjort gjennom søk i litteraturen, feltstudier og analytiske metoder. Avhandlingen omfatter i hovedsak kontorbygninger under norske forhold, men metodene og resultatene er overførbare til andre land med sammenlignbare klimatiske forhold og byggeskikk. Innenfor avgrensningene gjort i avhandlingen og basert funnene i de ulike delene og artiklene avhandlingen består av, er det vist at utnyttelse av termisk masse i kontorbygg bidrar til å redusere netto energibehov. Termisk masse reduserer også maksimumstemperaturen dagtid, demper temperaturvariasjonene over døgnet og reduserer antall timer med overtemperaturer. Utnyttelse av termisk masse bidrar også til at rom kan tåle en høyere intern varmelast enn lette rom uten at dette går ut over den termiske komforten. Termisk masse har imidlertid liten betydning for energibehovet for oppvarming i kontorbygg. Gevinsten med å utnytte termisk masse avhenger av tilgjengeligheten av eksponerte tunge materialer, strategi for nattventilasjon og ventilasjonsluftmengder. I tillegg innvirker parametere som settpunkttemperaturer, dødbånd og kontrollintervaller for ventilasjonen og bruksmønster. Innvirkningen av disse parametrene er diskutert og kvantifisert.

The main objectives of this thesis are to determine if the addition of an energy wheel in an HVAC system can improve the indoor air relative humidity (RH), and perceived air quality (PAQ), as well as reduce energy consumption. An energy wheel is an air-to-air energy exchanger that transfers heat and moisture between the outdoor air entering and the exhaust air leaving a building. This thesis uses the TRNSYS computer package to model two buildings (an office and a school) in four different cities (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Vancouver, British Columbia; Tampa, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona).<p>The results with and without an energy wheel are compared to see if the energy wheel has a significant impact on the RH and PAQ in the buildings. The energy wheel reduces peak RH levels in Tampa, (up to 15% RH), which is a humid climate, but has a smaller effect on the indoor RH in Saskatoon (up to 4% RH) and Phoenix (up to 11% RH), which are dry climates. The energy wheel also reduces the number of people that are dissatisfied with the PAQ within the space by up to 17% in Tampa. <p>The addition of the energy wheel to the HVAC system creates a reduction in the total energy consumed by the HVAC system in Saskatoon, Phoenix and Tampa (2% in each city). There is a significant reduction in the size of the heating equipment in Saskatoon (26%) and in the size of the cooling equipment in Phoenix (18%) and Tampa (17%). A cost analysis shows that the HVAC system including an energy wheel has the least life-cycle costs in these three cities, with savings of up to 6%. In Vancouver, the energy wheel has a negligible impact on the indoor RH, PAQ and energy consumption.

The main objectives of this thesis are to determine if the addition of an energy wheel in an HVAC system can improve the indoor air relative humidity (RH), and perceived air quality (PAQ), as well as reduce energy consumption. An energy wheel is an air-to-air energy exchanger that transfers heat and moisture between the outdoor air entering and the exhaust air leaving a building. This thesis uses the TRNSYS computer package to model two buildings (an office and a school) in four different cities (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Vancouver, British Columbia; Tampa, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona).<p>The results with and without an energy wheel are compared to see if the energy wheel has a significant impact on the RH and PAQ in the buildings. The energy wheel reduces peak RH levels in Tampa, (up to 15% RH), which is a humid climate, but has a smaller effect on the indoor RH in Saskatoon (up to 4% RH) and Phoenix (up to 11% RH), which are dry climates. The energy wheel also reduces the number of people that are dissatisfied with the PAQ within the space by up to 17% in Tampa. <p>The addition of the energy wheel to the HVAC system creates a reduction in the total energy consumed by the HVAC system in Saskatoon, Phoenix and Tampa (2% in each city). There is a significant reduction in the size of the heating equipment in Saskatoon (26%) and in the size of the cooling equipment in Phoenix (18%) and Tampa (17%). A cost analysis shows that the HVAC system including an energy wheel has the least life-cycle costs in these three cities, with savings of up to 6%. In Vancouver, the energy wheel has a negligible impact on the indoor RH, PAQ and energy consumption.

The exhausting fossil fuels have stimulated heating researches on alternative renewable energy, as well as energy friendly studies. In a country like Taiwan, with high density on population and buildings, fresh cold air are supplied by either fan-coil units or air-condition units. However, with the lack of intelligent control and poor justification on thermal comfort, these machines failed to provide optimal thermal comfort, a situation that always leads to "excessive control" and energy waste as a consequence. Optimal thermal comfort is pursued by using PMV fuzzy control theory, along with thermal comfort monitoring system derived from LabView icon-control software. Thermal Comfort indices such as Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percent of Dissatisfied (PPD) according to the ISO 7730 are used as indicators of thermal comfort.Sensors, conscious of variations in humidity and temperatures, can figure out PMV and PPD via LabView Online Real Time calculation, and then we can control the environment comfort around PMV=1 next by using fuzzy control theory as well as energy efficient equipment such as AC stepless fans and AC stepless heaters. Many comfort simulation cases, comfort simulation with random humidity and temperatures, and a 12-hour automatic control, were presented as three testing items to check whether PMV FUZZY algorithm is competitive in fixing the environment thermal comfort around PMV=1. The confirmation of this question can be proved by this empirical study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental design parameters on thermal comfort conditions in the METU Faculty of Architecture Building located in Ankara. The building had some problems in terms of indoor climatic conditions, both in winter and in summer. It was evident that some design parameters caused this undesirable situation. The study therefore focused on understanding and evaluating the effects of design-dependent elements such as thermal mass, the size and orientation of windows, shading and vegetation on thermal comfort conditions in the case study building. While conducting this study, data loggers were used to record temperature and humidity data in predetermined rooms. Data was collected during certain periods in July, August, and September 2006. The data collected was analyzed statistically and hypotheses were tested using ANOVA. This study showed that the effect of thermal mass was almost the same for the rooms investigated owing to the fact that the entire building had been constructed with concrete curtain walls. In terms of thermal performance the number and orientation of the exterior walls, orientation and size of windows, room heights and also sun shading with surrounding vegetation were most effective design parameters for the rooms investigated

The aim of the present research is to identify human subjective response (health and comfort) to the micro-thermal environment established by integration of individually controlled localized chilled beam and chilled ceiling (LCBCC) system and to compare its performance with the performance of mixing ventilation combined with chilled ceiling (CCMV).Experiments were carried out in mock-up of an office (4.1 m × 4.0 m × 3.1 m, L× W× H) with one person under two summer temperature conditions (26 °C and 28 °C). To mimic direct solar radiation in the room, five radiative panels on the wall together with electrical sheets on the half of the floor were used. The test room was set-up with two desks, as two workstations, and one laptop on each table. The main workstation (WS1) was located close to the simulated window. The second work station (WS2) was placed in the opposite side of the room. The room was equipped with two types of ventilating and cooling systems.  The first system consisted of a localized active chilled beam (LCB) unit together with chilled ceiling (CC) panels. The LCB was installed above the WS1 to create micro-environment around the occupant sitting at the desk. The supply flow rate from the LCB could be adjusted by the occupant within the range of 10 L/s to 13 L/s by means of a desk-mounted knob. The integration of mixing ventilation (MV) system and chilled ceiling panels was the second ventilating and cooling strategy. Twenty- four subjects (12 female and 12 male) were exposed to different indoor environment established by two cooling systems. Each experiment session lasted 120 min and consisted of 30 min acclimatization period and 90 min exposure period. The performance of the systems was identified and compared by physical measurements of the generated environment and the response of the human subjects. The study showed that perceived air quality (PAQ), overall thermal sensation (OTS) acceptability and local thermal sensation (LTS) acceptability clearly improved inside the micro-environment by using LCBCC system. Moreover, at the main workstation, OTS and LTS votes were close to “neutral” thermal sensation (ASHRAE seven point scale) when LCBCC system was used. However, OTS and LTS votes increased to the “slightly warm” side of the scale by applying CCMV system which implied the better cooling performance of the LCBCC system. Acceptability of work environment apparently increased under the room condition generated by LCBCC system. In agreement with human subjective study, the results from physical measurements and thermal manikin study showed that uniform thermal condition was generated all over the room. Air and operative temperature distribution was almost uniform with no difference higher than 1 °C between the measured locations in the room. Thus, both LCBCC and CCMV systems performed equally well outside of the micro-environment region. The use of the chilled ceiling had impact on the airflow interaction in the room and changed the airflow pattern. It can be concluded that the combination of convective and radiative systems can be considered as an efficient strategy to generate acceptable thermal condition in rooms.

The urban landscape-heat-health relationship was explored using a model of human thermal comfort (as energy budget) modified to incorporate varying urban landscape. Census Tract-level energy budget was modelled in Toronto during four extreme heat events. Energy budgets (~+80 W m-2) and heat-related ambulance calls (~+10%) increased during heat events and were positively correlated, albeit with some event-to-event fluctuation in relationship strength. Heat-related calls were negatively correlated to canopy cover. “Cooling” design strategies applied to two high-energy budget Census Tracts nearly neutralized (~–25 W m-2) thermal comfort and increased canopy cover (500–600%), resulting in an estimated 40–50% reduction in heat-related ambulance calls. These findings advance current understanding of the urban landscape-heat-health relationship and suggest straightforward design strategies to positively influence urban heat-health. This new high-throughput, Census Tract-level thermal comfort modelling methodology incorporates the complexities of the urban landscape has relevance to landscape architecture, urban design, and public health.

Thermal comfort receives little priority in the planning and design of bicycle pathways. Design tools are required to illustrate the importance of the relationship between climate and bicycling activity to improve the bicycling experience and extend the bicycling season in a cold climate. Microclimatic and bicycle pathway design principles were integrated with a COMFA model to simulate the thermal comfort of users bicycling on a proposed pathway in Ottawa, Canada. Modelling results predicted bicyclists could be thermally comfortable travelling at a steady-state speed of 16.0-19.2 km/h, but preferred to be cooler when travelling at higher speeds and warmer in colder months when standing at rest. Design implications recognized the compatibility of microclimatic and bicycle pathway design principles and demonstrated how a bioclimatic approach to designing bicycle infrastructure can encourage user thermal comfort, mitigate weather discomforts, accentuate seasonal climate conditions, and address a more inclusive combination of bicycle user design criteria.