Thermal Zoning in Solar Efficient Design: User Experiences and Designer Preconceptions: Fid-Bau Portal

Thermal Zoning in Solar Efficient Design: User Experiences and Designer Preconceptions

Samuels, R. / Ballinger, J. A. / Coldicutt, S. / Williamson, T. J.

There is a tendency for Australian energy efficiency design guides to locate bedrooms of houses in temperate climates on the south, and concentrate on assuring solar access and thermal comfort in the living rooms, which are thus locatedon the north. The National Evaluation of Energy Efficient Houses or NEEHA research project (Ballinger, Samuels, Coldicutt, Williamson and D'Cruz, 1991) shows that occupants prefer to have winter sunlight and daylight penetration in bedrooms as well as living rooms. Indeed, the highest levels of discomfort recorded in each of the four city-regions/states are shown to be related to dissatisfaction with winter temperatures and sunlight penetration in bedrooms.

Energy consumption will increase where occupants are not prepared to tolerate thermal discomfort in their bedrooms. In other words, the thermal expectations and experiences of users tend to have a direct impact on energy use, and, ultimately, on environmental sustainability.

There are rational alternatives to locating bedrooms on the south of a house, which could resolve both comfort and energy issues. It is the ‘design preconceptions’ of designers, builders and authors of design guidelines which need to be re-evaluated in the light of this new user-based knowledge.