House Rating Schemes (eBook)

Contents 5
List of Acronyms 8
1 Introduction 9
1.1 Why House Energy Ratings Accomplished 9
1.2 The Position of Passive Architecture in Current HERS 11
1.3 A Conflict in HERS 11
1.4 Book Outline – How to Read the Book 12
References 13
2 House Rating Schemes 15
2.1 House Energy Rating Schemes (HERS) 15
2.1.1 The United States of America 16
2.1.2 Canada 17
2.1.3 Europe 18
2.1.3.1 United Kingdom 19
2.1.3.2 Denmark 20
2.1.4 Australia 21
2.2 Rating Methodologies for Buildings 22
2.2.1 Building Rating Features 25
2.3 Energy as the Main Parameter for Rating Buildings 26
2.4 Issues Related to Building Energy Rating Schemes 27
2.4.1 Rating and Achievement of Sustainability 27
2.4.2 Rating Free Running Buildings 27
2.4.3 Rating Index 28
2.4.4 Occupancy Scenarios 29
2.4.5 Accuracy of HERS 31
2.4.5.1 The Accuracy of HERS Affected by Occupant Seasonal Behaviour 32
2.5 Need for a New Index for Assessing Building Energy Efficiency 32
2.6 Summary 33
References 34
3 Thermal Comfort 38
3.1 Thermal Comfort 38
3.1.1 Definition of Thermal Comfort 39
3.1.2 Human Comfort and Variables Affecting Thermal Comfort 39
3.1.3 Thermal Comfort Models and Standards 41
3.1.4 Applicability of the Thermal Comfort Index for Naturally Ventilated Buildings 43
3.1.5 Adaptive Thermal Comfort Models for Naturally Ventilated/Free Running Buildings 46
3.1.6 Acceptable Thermal Conditions in Free Running Buildings Based on the ASHRAE Standard 48
3.1.7 Applicability of the Adaptive Comfort Model for Free Running Residential Buildings 48
3.2 Evaluation of a Residential Buildings Thermal Performance on the Basis of Thermal Comfort 50
3.2.1 Computing Degree Hours for Free Running Houses 51
3.3 Indicators to Measure the Thermal Performance of Houses for Rating Purposes 52
3.3.1 Conditioned Mode 52
3.3.2 Free Running Mode 52
3.3.3 How an Indicator Points to Building Efficiency 53
3.3.3.1 Correlation Between Indicators of Building Efficiency 53
3.4 Summary 54
References 54
4 Modelling Efficient Building Design: Efficiency for Low Energy or No Energy 59
4.1 Building Performance Evaluation 59
4.1.1 Building Simulation Programs 61
4.1.2 Criteria for Modeling the Thermal Performance of Buildings in Two Different Operation Modes 62
4.1.2.1 Samples 62
4.1.2.2 Simulation Programs 63
4.1.2.3 Climate 70
4.1.2.4 Thermal Comfort Conditions 72
4.1.2.5 Occupancy Scenarios 76
4.1.2.6 Indicators 78
4.1.3 Effective Parameters for Improving Buildings Thermal Performance 80
4.2 Parametric Sensitivity Analysis of Thermal Performances of Buildings: A Comparative Analysis 83
4.2.1 What Is Sensitivity Analysis? 83
4.2.2 Thermal Performances of Dwellings in the Sydney Climate 83
4.2.2.1 Ceiling Insulation 84
4.2.2.2 Wall Insulation 85
4.2.2.3 Floor Insulation 88
4.2.2.4 Wall Colour 90
4.2.2.5 Roof Colour 92
4.2.2.6 Orientation 93
4.2.2.7 Overhang Depth 95
4.2.2.8 Glazing Type 96
4.2.2.9 Window Covering 98
4.2.2.10 Openable Windows 99
4.2.2.11 Window to Wall Ratio 100
4.2.2.12 Internal Walls 103
4.2.2.13 Infiltration 104
4.2.3 Summary of Thermal Performance Analysis 106
4.3 Relationship Between Thermal Performance of Buildings on the Basis of Energy and Thermal Comfort 108
4.3.1 Correlation Coefficient 109
4.3.2 Multivariate Regression Analysis 114
4.4 Conclusion 117
References 119
5 Assembling a House Energy Ratings (HER) and House Free Running Ratings (HFR) Scheme 122
5.1 Rating Building Thermal Performance 122
5.1.1 How Should Building Thermal Performance Bands Be Defined for Rating? 123
5.2 The Combination of Two Rating Systems 127
5.3 How the New Combined System Evaluates Efficiency 130
5.4 Reliability of the New Rating System 131
5.5 Conclusion 133
References 134
6 Appendix 135
6.1 The Effect of House Envelope Parameters on the Seasonal Performance of Houses in Different Operation Modes 135
Index 145