Towards dynamic thermal performance benchmarks for naturally ventilated buildings in a hot-dry climate

This article focuses on evolving dynamic thermal performance benchmarks for naturally ventilated buildings located in hot-dry climates of India. The study presents a framework which translates the steady-state performance metrics prescribed by the national building code to dynamic metrics. By means of collating the adaptive comfort boundaries and the thermal inertia requirements for this climate, a dynamic performance limit has been developed. Similarly, by means of replacing the constant base temperature used in the existing thermal performance index for opaque walls with the variable adaptive-comfort based thermo-neutral temperature, a dynamic index has been presented. A review of these indices using data obtained from real-time field measurements has been provided. Influence of wall density, absorptivity, glazing type, ventilation strategy and orientation on thermal discomfort has been discussed through parametric studies. The steady state wall U value requirement prescribed by the national code has been reviewed through factorial analysis. The interactive effects of wall U value, fenestration area, insolation and orientation has been analyzed. Optimal fenestration sizes have been derived for different boundary conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.