COMFORT AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF PASSIVE SOLAR TEST ROOMS IN MUNCIE, INDIANA

摘要

This article presents a summary of the thermal conditions (in terms of operative temperature) found during the 2002-2003 heating season in five different passive solar test rooms (Direct Gain, Trombe-Wall, Water-Wall, Sunspace, and Roofpond) plus a control room located in Muncie, Indiana. In addition, this article discusses particular characteristics of the thermal environments produced by each of the strategies studied in this research project, placing an emphasis on their implications for comfort. Recommendations to improve thermal comfort in each of the strategies are also made and future research is discussed.