Post occupancy design intervention to improve comfort and energy performance in a desert house

Vidar Lerum, Venkata Ramana Koti

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This paper reports on the methods used to analyze the effect on thermal comfort and energy performance of incremental changes applied to the building envelope. The object of investigation was the "House of Earth and Light", a residence built in the hot and dry climate of the low Arizona desert. As new owners occupied the house in 2003, they experienced severe overheating in the living room. A series path method was developed to determine the effect on surface temperatures as a function of changes in floor, glass walls, and roof R-values as well as changes in the indoor air temperature. The mean radiant temperature (MRT) was then calculated for each incremental improvement while the indoor air temperature was changed in order to achieve a target operative temperature (OT) of 78°F. The effect of the incremental improvements on the energy performance of the building was analyzed by means of hour-by-hour calculations using the Energy-10™ simulation software.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005
Subtitle of host publicationBringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Pages364-370
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
EventSolar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: Aug 6 2005Aug 12 2005

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Volume1

Other

OtherSolar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period8/6/058/12/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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