A comprehensive review of the existing methods of calculating a structure's heat transfer with the ground shows both the complexity of the problem and the myriad of different approaches. As part of a wider and ongoing study which is attempting to give guidance on the most appropriate tool to use for a given situation, heat transfer from a basement is investigated using standard design guidance (ASHRAE, CEN and AICVF). Results are compared with the winter experimental heat load. For the case studied a discrepancy of up to 52% is found between results from the various guidance documents.
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