A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Thermal comfort in a tropical savanna climate: The case of home occupants in Darwin, Australia
Highlights Thermal comfort conditions were investigated in 4 to 7 star rated houses in Darwin, Australia, which has a tropical savanna climate. Although available in all houses, air-conditioner use was not universal during the hotter more humid seasons with many opting to use natural ventilation, fans and more frequent drinking to maintain thermal comfort. Houses rated at 6 to 7 stars in the NatHERS system were generally more comfortable during the hot seasons than those rated at 4 to 5 stars. Many people opted to live in conditions that were hotter and more humid than recommended under current building regulations.
Abstract Housing construction and operating costs can be reduced if building codes are designed to meet local expectations of thermal comfort ─ expectations that can vary across cultures and climates. We analysed the energy and thermal comfort performance of 38 recently-built houses in the tropical savanna (Aw) climate of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with 4 to 7 star ratings according to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). Thermal comfort and personal adaptive behaviours of the 69 occupants were assessed using a questionnaire while, simultaneously, indoor environmental parameters were monitored. Perceptions of thermal comfort were then compared to those predicted from modelling. We found that many people were comfortable in warmer and more humid conditions than is assumed by national building codes, with many people opting for use of fans at set at high speeds instead. Large lots close to parks had the lowest use of air conditioners in the warm seasons, with very little air-conditioner use at other times.
Thermal comfort in a tropical savanna climate: The case of home occupants in Darwin, Australia
Highlights Thermal comfort conditions were investigated in 4 to 7 star rated houses in Darwin, Australia, which has a tropical savanna climate. Although available in all houses, air-conditioner use was not universal during the hotter more humid seasons with many opting to use natural ventilation, fans and more frequent drinking to maintain thermal comfort. Houses rated at 6 to 7 stars in the NatHERS system were generally more comfortable during the hot seasons than those rated at 4 to 5 stars. Many people opted to live in conditions that were hotter and more humid than recommended under current building regulations.
Abstract Housing construction and operating costs can be reduced if building codes are designed to meet local expectations of thermal comfort ─ expectations that can vary across cultures and climates. We analysed the energy and thermal comfort performance of 38 recently-built houses in the tropical savanna (Aw) climate of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with 4 to 7 star ratings according to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). Thermal comfort and personal adaptive behaviours of the 69 occupants were assessed using a questionnaire while, simultaneously, indoor environmental parameters were monitored. Perceptions of thermal comfort were then compared to those predicted from modelling. We found that many people were comfortable in warmer and more humid conditions than is assumed by national building codes, with many people opting for use of fans at set at high speeds instead. Large lots close to parks had the lowest use of air conditioners in the warm seasons, with very little air-conditioner use at other times.
Thermal comfort in a tropical savanna climate: The case of home occupants in Darwin, Australia
Safarova, S. (author) / van Hoof, J. (author) / Law, L. (author) / Zander, K.K. (author) / Garnett, S.T. (author)
Energy and Buildings ; 266
2022-03-29
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Thermal comfort , House occupants , Adaptation strategies , Thermal sensation , Natural ventilation , Tropical savanna climate , Sustainability , AMV , Actual Mean Vote , CBE , Centre for the Built Environment , DBT , Dry Bulb Temperature , ET* , New Effective Temperature , IEA , International Energy Agency , NatHERS , Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme , PMV , Predicted Mean Vote , SET , Standard Effective Temperature
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