Development of behavioural algorithms for thermal simulation of buildings - evaluating constraints on the operation of windows and fans

摘要

Realistic knowledge of window-opening and fans use behaviour is needed for the thermal simulation of naturally ventilated buildings. If controls such as windows and fans were effective and easy to use, thermal discomfort could be largely avoided. In practice there may be constraints that hinder the use of such controls. In any thermal simulation these constraints need numerical values. In this paper, we explore the nature and extent of some of the constraints operating on the use of windows and fans, making numerical estimates of their magnitudes from extensive field databases.