The modelling of the thermal environment in buildings

Abstract

The modelling techniques available for analysing the thermal environment in buildings are reviewed. The performance of three models (the manual IHVE procedure and the computer-based LOTEM and TEMPER Models) in predicting internal temperatures and heating/ cooling loads are critically analysed using monitored environmental conditions. The advantage of computer-based techniques in providing better accuracy and ease of computation is demonstrated. The sensitivity of the models' performance to changes in input data such as building orientation, glazing area, and building thermal characteristics is investigated, highlighting the significant role played by the interaction between the incident solar radiation and the glazing.