A proposed concept for determining the need for air conditioning for buildings based on building thermal response and human comfort

Abstract

Determining the need for air conditioning can be based on a wide variety of factors. To date, the only criteria that have been written and can be referenced are those of several federal organizations and many are not really criteria in the true sense of the word. They are guidelines to be used in the determination of fund allocation; in other words, provisions are made to air condition federal facilities in specific geographical locations if pertinent weather characteristics of that locality meet certain requirements. The concept is presented that true criteria can be established based both on weather characteristics of the locality as well as characteristics of the building or structure under consideration. Details are given of a study showing the feasibility of such a scheme. A simulation was made of two proposed residences in several geographical localities. For the simulation, actual hour-by-hour weather data was used in conjunction with a sophisticated computer program. The results revealed, for the non air-conditioned spaces, the extent and duration of undesirable indoor conditions based upon generally accepted comfort indices. The concept of a new ''comfort'' or ''discomfort'' index called Predicted Indoor Habitability Index (PIHI) is introduced. The authors indicate the way in whichmore » a criterion could be established that would be in the form of tables indicating, for a given specified building and geographical locality, whether mechanical cooling should or should not be installed.« less