Abstract
In building energy simulation, indoor thermal comfort condition, energy use and equipment size are typically calculated based on the assumption that the clothing insulation is equal to a constant value of 0.5 clo during the cooling season and 1.0 clo during the heating season. The assumption is not reflected in practice and thus it may lead to errors. In reality, occupants frequently adjust their clothing depending on the thermal conditions, as opposed to the assumption of constant clothing values above, indicating that the clothing insulation variation should be captured in building simulation software to obtain more reliable and accurate results. In this study, the impact of three newly developed dynamic clothing insulation models on the building simulation is quantitatively assessed using the detailed whole-building energy simulation program, EnergyPlus version 6.0. The results showed that when the heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) is controlled based on indoor temperature the dynamic clothing models do not affect indoor operative temperatures, energy consumption and equipment sizing. When the HVAC is controlled based on the PMV model the use of a fixed clothing insulation during the cooling (0.5 clo) and heating (1.0 clo) season leads to the incorrect estimation of the indoor operative temperatures, energy consumption and equipment sizing. The dynamic clothing models significantly (p < 0.0001) improve the ability of energy simulation tools to assess thermal comfort. The authors recommend that the dynamic clothing models should be implemented in dynamic building energy simulation software such as EnergyPlus.
Highlights
The amount of thermal insulation worn by a person has significant influences on thermal comfort [1]
Cases 1 and 5 assumed a fixed clothing value depending on the season and Cases 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11 adjusted the clothing insulation as a function of 6 o’clock outdoor air temperature, which changed on the daily basis instead of hourly or sub-hourly basis
In Cases 3, 7, and 10 where the clothing insulation changed as a function of both 6 o’clock outdoor air and indoor operative temperatures, it changed hourly as shown in Figure 3 (Cases 3 and 7) since the indoor operative temperature changed every time-step, which, in turn, directly affected clothing values in each time-step
Summary
The amount of thermal insulation worn by a person has significant influences on thermal comfort [1]. 1.2 met, the effect of changing clothing insulation on the optimum operative temperature is approximately 6 °C/clo [1], indicating that clothing is one of the most important thermal comfort adjustments available to building occupants [2]. Havenith et al [6] discussed the representation and measurement of clothing parameters and metabolic rate in the PMV context. Gauthier and Shipworth showed that in the PMV-PPD calculations the most influential parameter are the metabolic activity and the clothing insulation [7]. Morgan and de Dear examined clothing behaviour and its relationship with thermal environments in shopping mall and call centre [8]. The adaptive comfort model takes into account the adaptation of occupants to the outdoor conditions in naturally ventilated buildings such as changing their clothing insulations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
