The effects of natural ventilation and sunshine on the indoor thermal environment of Japanese housing.

Number: pap. 527

Author(s) : OTA S., MIMURA M., KUNO S., et al.

Summary

Global environmental issues are worsening. The climate of Japan is hot and humid in summer and cold in winter, so natural ventilation in summer and sunshine in winter are becoming increasingly important in Japanese housing. This paper investigates the effects of natural ventilation and sunshine on the evaluation of indoor environments to balance comfort with energy conservation in housing. The field studies using female subjects were conducted at two model houses in Toyota City, in the four seasons of 2011–2012. In the summer, air movement of over 0.6 m/s by natural ventilation improved the subject’s thermal comfort at SET* 33ºC. In the autumn, they were not uncomfortable at SET* 18ºC and most of the evaluations were “cool and comfortable” and “neutral and comfortable”. In the winter, their thermal comfort was influenced by sunshine even though the rooms were air-conditioned. In the spring, even though their thermal sensation was slightly cool, sunshine improved their evaluation of thermal comfort. Their evaluations in spring were colder and with more discomfort than in autumn even at the same SET*. The reason for these differences is thought to be that the thermal comfort in autumn was influenced by the climate of summer and that in spring it was influenced by winter. As mentioned above, natural ventilation in summer and sunshine in winter are important factors to achieve a balance of both comfort and energy conservation in housing.

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Pages: 10 p.

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Details

  • Original title: The effects of natural ventilation and sunshine on the indoor thermal environment of Japanese housing.
  • Record ID : 30009298
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Clima 2013. 11th REHVA World Congress and 8th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation in Buildings.
  • Publication date: 2013/06/16

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