Field study to compare and evaluate winter indoor thermal and health conditions of school buildings with different envelopes

Abstract

ABSTRACTAuckland has a temperate climate with comfortable warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Previous studies show that Auckland buildings use more energy during winter than other seasons. Auckland building thermal design should focus more on winter indoor thermal conditions. During the winter, high relative humidity can negatively impact indoor health conditions. A conventional Auckland school has a number of low-rise, isolated buildings with lightweight envelopes. In over 90% of Auckland schools, each isolated building only has one to four classrooms. For these types of school buildings, the building envelope becomes the most important design factor for indoor thermal and health conditions. For some energy rating software and design hand books, prescriptions of steady-state R-values ignore the benefits of thermal mass and direct building thermal design towards lightweight wall with high insulation. Based on field study data, this study compares and evaluates indoor thermal and health conditions of classrooms with or without thermal mass in their envelopes.