A Passive Building Energy-Efficiency Evaluation Method Considering Human Thermal Adaptation with Seasonal Climate Change

Abstract

Under the premise of satisfying the human thermal comfort in the whole year, accurately evaluating the building energy-efficiency (BEE) through passive design can provide direct feedback and guidance for the passive design process. The scientific relationship between dynamic indoor thermal comfort benchmarks, outdoor climate change and passive building energy-efficiency design (PBEED) is a prerequisite for calculating BEE with passive design method. However, the current energy-efficiency effect evaluation method cannot reflect the dynamic change characteristics of the thermal comfort benchmark linked with the continuous dynamic change of the climate throughout the year. Firstly, BEE evaluation method in China was introduced, and energy conservation ratio calculating method was illustrated. Then, analyse and conclude 4 disadvantages of BEE evaluation method. Secondly, a new calculating method of PBEED evaluation considering human thermal adaptation with seasonal climate change was invented, including calculating model, some new concepts appeared in the model and calculating process of PBEED evaluation index. Finally, obtaining method of the PBEED evaluation index was proposed, including temperatures outdoors and indoors, dynamic thermal comfort zone. The results of this study will expand the application field of adaptive thermal comfort in building energy conservation, and will provide scientific support for accurately evaluating the passive building energy-efficiency design.