Thermal simulation models: Comparison with monitored data for houses with large areas of advanced glazing

Abstract

This paper presents measured results from a 'superglazed' and an otherwise identical double-glazed house, and compares the monitored data with predictions from a dynamic hour-by-hour simulation model (SERI-RES) and a degree-day model (DESIGNER). The 'superglazing' has a measured U-value of 0.8 ± 0.1 W m^-2 K^-1, and the double glazing of 2.8 ± 0.1 W m^-2 K^-1. Five superglazed and three double-glazed houses at Milton Keynes were monitored for two years. SERI-RES was driven with weather data measured on site, and the observed schedules of casual gains. Agreement between measurements and predictions is very good over the whole heating season and fairly good on a month-by-month basis. Internal temperatures are underpredicted, and solar gains and building heat loss overpredieted, during the summer. In DESIGNER the weather conditions are represented as monitored degree-days. The annual consumption figures compare well with those measured; but there is little scope for examining the performance of each building component in relationship to energy use.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Haves P. and Littler J. Refinements to SERI-RES Final Report to UK Department of Energy, Energy Technology Support Unit S-1130 (1987)

Bredem -The Domestic Energy Model-background, philosophy, and description BR66 (Garston : Building Research Establishment) ( 1985)

Chapman P. Energy Designer User's Manual (Milton Keynes: Energy Advisory Services (1991)

Energy World Exhibition Brochure (Milton Keynes: Energy Foundation/ Milton Keynes Development Corporation) (1986)

Energy Performance Assessments (EPA)(Harwell : Databuild/UK Department of Energy/Energy Technology Support Unit) (1991)

Robinson P.D. and Littler J. Courtyard Passive Solar Houses Contract SE432/85 Final summary report to the European Commission Directorate General, Brussels

Robinson PD Advanced Glazing for Passive Solar Applications: Assessment of Glazing and Whole House Energy Performance by Measurement and Prediction PhD thesis, Polytechnic of Central London (1991 )

Robinson P. and Littler J.

100% South Facing Superglazing to Courtyard Houses

Proc. Third International Conf. on Building Energy Management , Lausanne, Switzerland p 189 (November 1987)

Hawkes D. Energetic Twosome Architects J. 185(4) 40 ( 1987)

10.

Robinson P.D. and Littler J. Methodology of Window Performance Assessment Techniques in the US and UK Report to the UK Department of Energy via ETSU (1988)

11.

Tindale A. SUNPATH algorithm PhD thesis submitted to the Polytechnic of Central London (September 1991)

12.

Ruyssevelt P. Superinsulated Houses PhD thesis, Polytechnic of Central London (1989)

13.

Martin C. Test Cell Studies1: Solar Loss Energy Monitoring Company Report for the UK Department of Energy via ETSU (1987)

14.

Martin C. Test Cell Studies 1: Solar Distribution Energy Monitoring Company Report for the UK Department of Energy via ETSU (1987)

15.

Siviour J.

Experimental thermal calibration of houses

Proc. Conf. Simulation Models, University of Liege (1981)

16.

Everett B. Rapid Thermal Calibration of Houses Report ERG055 1985 from the Energy Research Group, Open University, Milton Keynes UK and PhD thesis, Open University ( 1985)