Comfort

Concursul Isover 2007

Isover Building Advices

Sensation of Comfort
Different parameters affects a sensation of a high comfort level inside a building
The ambient inside temperature The temperature variations inside The level of air-movements (draft) inside The sensation of air freshness The noise level in and between rooms/houses The level of light inside

We want to live in a warm (or cool in the summer), silent and safe building

Typical Comfort issues

Sensation of cold from surfaces (walls/windows/floors) Cold draft because of air-movements Noise from inside the house or from our neighbours Windows feel cold and there is often a condensation on them In corners I see a start of mold growth There is a bad smell in my house The energy bill for heating is rising...

Theoretical descriptions

Theoretical descriptions
Thermal Comfort Indoor air quality Thermal performances and minimized heat flow
Transmission losses Thermal bridges Air and wind tightness

Moisture Management Acoustics Ventilation

Thermal Comfort

Definition of comfort
Comfort requirements have been taken accordance with EN ISO 7730 (1995)
Thermal predicted mean vote (PMV) in accordance with FANGER Idem for Ventilation and air renewal

Building and climate

Temperature

Inside temp. Poor building

External temperature

Inside temp. Good building

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Source: Dr Claude-Alain Roulet, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland (Hope project)

The thermal requirements for indoor climate depends on activity and clothing

Hard work = 4.0 met Walking = 3.0 met Sitting = 1.0 met Sleeping = 0,7 met

Metabolic activity level

Examples: 1. For an activity level of 1.2 and clothing at 1.0, the optimum operative temperature is at approximately 22C 2. For an activity level of 2,0 and clothing at 0.5, the optimum operative temperature is at approximately 21C

Naked Summer clothing Correct indoor suit Outdoor clothing

= 0 clo = 0.5 clo = 1 clo = 1.5 clo

Thermal requirements

Thermal comfort requirements for indoor climate depends on ambient surface temperatures
80 60
ce ilin g
Requirements of maximal allowable asymmetrical radiant temperatures

PMV [%] of unsatisfied occupants

40 30
/h ea t

20
W

wi nd ow

ed

co

4 2 1 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Asymmetrical radiant temperature [C]
Examples: Occupants are more sensitive to variation in a warm/heated ceiling than for a warm/heated wall/partition wall Occupants are more sensitive to variation in a cold wall/window than for a cold ceiling

COMFORT ZONE

co

ld

10 8 5

ld wa ll

ce ilin g

l wal rm wa

n titio par or

or

l wal

To understand the comfort requests of asymmetrical radiant temperatures given by ISO 7730, we can see in figure 2 that these requirements are outside of the accepted limits if 4% of the occupants are unsatisfied.

ar m

co ld

Climatic conditions requirements in wintertime (season of heating)

1. understood In winter, for a light work mainly in a seated position with clothing 1 clo (One layer of clothing) and activity 1,2 (Sitting/working in an office) met (according to EN ISO 7730) the conditions according to the table should be met:
ambient temperature is between 19 et 24 C

2. difference of air
temperature between 0,1 and 1,1 m above floor (height of the ankles and the head)

lower to 3 C

3. temperature of
floor

between 19 et 26 C

4. asymmetry of
maximal radiant temperature :

A.

B. C.

A.

1. T= 19-24C 2. T< 3C

between high and low for warm ceilings: 4 C (the maximal allowable difference of surface temperature between the floor and the ceiling) between two sides of cold partitions: 10 C (the maximal allowable difference of surface temperature between an external wall or window and an internal wall) between two sides of warm partitions: 20 C (the maximal allowable difference of surface temperature between an inside wall to other inside vertical surfaces like a heated wall)

B.

3: 19-26C

C.

Climatic conditions requirements in the summertime 1. understood between 23,5 et 26,5 C

In summer, for an accomplished light work mainly in a seated position with clothing 0,5 clo and activity 1,2 met (according to EN ISO 7730) the conditions according to the table should be met:
ambient temperature is

2. difference of air
temperature between 0,1 and 1,1 m above floor (height of the ankles and the head)

lower than 3 C

3.

asymmetry of maximal radiant temperature :

A.

for cold partitions: 10 C (maximal allowable difference of surface temperature between a cooling wall and an internal wall) for cold ceilings: 13 C (maximal allowable difference of surface temperature between the floor and the cooling ceiling.) for warm ceilings: 5 C (the maximal allowable difference of surface temperature should not be higher than 5C between the floor and the ceiling heated by sun radiation temperature increase)

B.

C.
A. B,C
1. T= 23.5-26.5C 2. T< 3C

Ventilation and air renewal requirements in accordance with EN ISO 7730

Air flow conditions during wintertime Average speed of air lower than 0,15 m/s Air flow conditions during summertime Average speed of air lower than 0,20 m/s

The figure gives the average maximum air speed permitting to avoid that more than 20% of the occupants complains about draft, as a function of the ambient temperature and the degree of turbulence. The conditions are satisfactory when the point representing the ambient conditions is situated below the corresponding curve. Its to be understood that the other comfort conditions, especially the ambient temperature, are respected.

2. 1.

Examples 1. for a temperature of 21C the airspeed can be maximum ~0.13 m/s to get 100% satisfied occupants 2. for a temperature of 23C and an airspeed of ~0.17 m/s, only 50% of the occupants are satisfied

Comfort Indoor Air Quality

Ventilation and air renewal requirements in accordance with EN ISO 7730

Air renewal
Minimum air exchanges of outside air The minimum air exchanges of outside air must in principle be determined so that the concentrations in pollutants don't pass the maximum allowable values:

V
Where Vmin = G= Cmax = Ce =

G
min

max

minimum air exchanges of outside air in m3/h emission of impurities in kg/h, l/h or for gas m3/h, or olf for odours maximal allowable concentration of the considered pollutant in kg/m3, ppm for gas, or pol for odours pollutant considered concentration of outside air in kg/m3, ppm for gas, or pol for odours

In presence of several sources of pollutants, we take the biggest one for the calculated air exchange for every source. An outside air exchange about 15 m3 per hour and per person (zone non-smokers) is necessary of the point of hygienic view. This air exchange limits the concentration in carbon dioxide to 0,15% or 1500 ppm.

Thermal performances Minimized Heat flow

Comparison of Buildings
Energy consumption in kWh/ma

400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

Com pletely insufficient therm al protection Insufficient therm al protection Low Energy Buildings Isover Multi Confort House Heating Household electricity Ventilation Electricity Hot Water

Comparison of Buildings I
Heat energy demand Gross floor area (HEDGFA) in kWh/ma for a characteristic length of 1m
Heating degree days (HDD) = 3400 Kd

kWh/ma

kWh/ma

kWh/ma

kWh/ma

300-250

150-100

50-40

< 15

Building standard The HEDGFA value (heat energy demand related to the gross floor area) serves as a help to assess the thermal quality of a building NORM B 8110-5 (prestandard).

Completely insufficient thermal protection Structurally questionable, cost of heating no longer economical (typical of rural structures, buildings dating from the early years of the so-called Grnderzeit or from 1945 to 1970

Insufficient thermal protection Thermal renovation is clearly worth the trouble (typical of residential buildings constructed in the 50ies and 70ies of the last century)

Low-energy buildings

Lowest-energy buildings (essential parameter of the requirement profile to be met by Passive Houses)

Energy consumption in liters heating oil per square meter and year

30-25 liters

15-10 liters

4-5 liters

1.5 liters

Comparison of Buildings II
Heat energy demand kWh/ma kWh/ma kWh/ma kWh/ma

300-250
Construction Exterior wall (massive wall of 25 cm)

150-100

50-40

< 15

U-value and insulation (=40 mW/m.K) thickness

1.30 W/mK 0 cm 0.40 W/mK 6 cm 0.22 W/mK 22 cm 0.40 W/mK 7 cm 2.6 W/mK
Double glazing

0.20 W/mK 16 cm 0.15 W/mK 30 cm 0.25 W/mK 20 cm 1.10 W/mK

Double glazing thermo

0.10 W/mK 34 cm 0.10 W/mK 40 cm 0.12 W/mK 30 cm 0.80 W/mK

Triple glazing special frame

Roof

0.90 W/mK 4 cm

Floors to ground

1.0 W/mK 2 cm

Windows

5.10 W/mK
Single glazing

Comparison of Buildings III

Heat energy demand Gross floor area (HEDGFA) in kWh/ma for a characteristic length of 1m
Heating degree days (HDD) = 3400 Kd

kWh/ma

kWh/ma

kWh/ma

kWh/ma

300-250

150-100

50-40

< 15

30 kg/ma CO2 emission 60 kg/ma 10 kg/ma 2 kg/ma

Energy consumption in liters heating oil per square meter and year

30-25 liters

15-10 liters

4-5 liters

1.5 liters

Schematic description of the past and future net energy demand of a single-family house
195 180
Ventilation Solar gains Internal thermal sources

195 180 Annual energy consumption (kWh/ma) 165 150 135 120 105 90 75 60 45 30 15 0
Transmission

Annual energy consumption (kWh/ma)

165 150 135 120

Passive house

90 75 60 45 30 15 0

Heat energy demand

105

Transmission losses

Ventilation

Solar gains Internal thermal sources Recovery of ventilation losses Heat energy demand

Typical Energy losses in a single family house

30% Roof

Summer

15% Air renewal 25% Walls Thermal bridges Windows/ Openings 10%

Principle of insulation

Winter

10% 10% Ground

Transmission losses
In a house the transmission losses depends on the nature and the insulation capacity of each surface between the inside and the outside
Roof Wall Floor Windows/openings

High transmission losses are a result of poor insulation and means

higher energy use (=higher cost for heating and more pollution) decreased thermal comfort and a higher risk for condensation and mold growth inside the building

Thermal bridges
Definition A thermal bridge is the part of a building envelope where heat is transferred at a much higher rate than the surrounding area. Two types: Punctual thermal bridges: in W/K Linear thermal bridges : in W/mK Where do they occur? In constructions there are always risks for thermal bridges* coming from The structure of the building The joints between the building parts (Windows, doors etc.) In order to minimize these thermal bridges, special attention has to be put on the choice of the components/materials in the construction the detailing work around openings the design/insulation of the building structure joints Consequences Less comfort Loss of heat => Higher energy costs Risk of condensation and mold growth
*) bridges leading the cold from the outside to the inside in the winter or the heat from outside to inside in the summer

OK !

The challenge is to design a building which has as few thermal bridges as possible in order to optimize the comfort, keeping the heat inside the building and minimizing the risk of mold growth

Thermal bridges, U

Example: If the window below is 1 m* 0.8 m with a -value of 0.012 W/mC in the structure around the window
U = (0.8*2+1*2)*0.012/(1*0.8) = 0.054
y
U= *L/A = Linear Thermal loss (W/mC) L=Length (m) A= Area (m2)

The challenge is to design a building which has as few thermal bridges as possible in order to keep the heat or cold inside the building

*) bridges leading the cold from the outside to the inside in the winter or the heat from outside to inside in the summer

Ventilation and Air leaks

In a building you need a ventilation system to keep a good indoor air climate
Renewal of air Evacuation of humidity etc.

The ventilation means that heated air goes out of the building and that cold air comes in There are normally air leaks in the building envelope causing unwanted ex- and infiltration of air
Joints between building parts The air-tightness in the insulations system is not guaranteed The windows are not air-tight etc.

The air-leaks causes worse performance of the insulation- and ventilation system Controlling the air leaks and the air flow means an improvement of the comfort but also better energy efficiency of the building

Air and wind tightness

The envelope must be made air-tight in order to guarantee
a sensation of high comfort and avoid draft, high speed of air and shift in temperature due to in- and ex-filtration of air an optimized function of the ventilation equipment minimize the risk of condensation in the construction

Wind

Wind

Air tightness
The air-tightness is measured by a measuring the air changes per hour with a pressure diff. of 50 Pa (Blower door test ISO 9772 EN 13829).

Smoke test to indicate leaks

Measuring with Anemometer (Wind speed and direction)

Blower door test

Moisture management

Keeping the Moisture balance

Dynamic heat and moisture transfer

Safe Storage Capacity

Wetting
Condensation air convection vapor diffusion

Wetting

Rain absorption penetration Built-in moisture Drying

Drainage Air convection Evaporation-Diffusion

Source: Fraunhofer Institute, Holzkirchen/Germany

John Straube 2001

Make sure that the design

Dynamic heat and moisture transfer

Safe Storage Capacity

Wetting

Wetting

To avoid damage evaluate hygrothermal loads during design process!

Drying

John Straube 2001

Source: Fraunhofer Institute, Holzkirchen/Germany

Moisture management
There are three types of moisture transmissions:

1.Convective air transmission loss 2.Water vapor transmission by diffusion 3.Capillary moisture transport

Moisture management
Making sure the building moisture level is in balance
Good ventilation is essential:
Change of air and evacuation of the moisture with the ventilation system Short time openings of the windows enables a moisture balances

Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air:
As can be seen in the right figure condensation (at RH* 100%) occurs at 5C. However the absolute water vapor content is lower in this volume than at a temperature of 20C => warm air can hold more water vapor
*) RH= Relative humidity

Critical surface temperature

The critical places for surface humidity are geometrical and constructive thermal bridges, like corner, stored supports etc. The construction has to be designed in a way that
at no surface a condensation can appear the risk of contamination through mould growth doesn't exist There is a high level of insulation, thermal bridges are minimized and the windows have a high quality If short-term appearance of condensation at the surface should occur, the construction element should be designed so that damages can not occur (i.e. a
window with temporary condensation must be able to accept the condensation until this is dried out without damage on the surface.)

f Rsi

si i

e e

>= 0,75

In order to avoid the risk of mould growth, the relative humidity of the surfaces near an air layer should never be higher than 80 percent for a period of 60 days (or a temp of 13C or 8 days and a temp of 20C)

Interstitial condensation
Proof that this is not the case:

at the end of the summer there is no condensation in the construction elements the accumulated quantity of condensation during the condensation period in the adjoining layers the following values doesn't exceed:
1. 3% (absolute difference between the original (17% nominal) and the max level) of the mass for wood and wooden materials 1% of volume for insulation materials 800 g/m2 for porous building materials with capillary moisture transmission effect (i.e. concrete or bricks)
Wood Insulation Porous materials with capillary moist. Transm.

Material

2. 3.

Max allowed accumulated quantity of the original 3 % of mass 1 % of volume 800 g/m2

Diffusion Problem
(Example taken from EMPA/Switzerland) Trapped Moisture that cant get out Water proof membrane (or i.e. Metal roof) No drying out towards the outside (Winter)

Air- and Vapor Leakage in tight barrier Vapor and air

barrier

No drying out towards the inside (Summer)

Diffusion problems cont.

Summer situation Outside-Temperature 33 C

m Su

er m

r inte W

Room temperature 21 C

Acoustics

We only can learn what we can hear

Speech dominates the majority of learning situations. The quality of a room's acoustics can therefore help determine whether teaching is successful or not. Furthermore the indoor environment of all workplaces must help ensure that people feel both mentally and physically healthy.

Definitions Sound absorption

The Reverberation time, T60 is defined as
the time it takes for the sound level to decrease by 60 dB after the sound source has been switched off.

A sound source that emits a sound level of 100 dB is switched off at t=0.5 sec. The reverberation time is the time it takes for the sound level to decrease 60 dB (the sound level is then 40 dB). The sound level in this example is stabilised at the background noise level of 30 dB.

The sound propagation in rooms is different from the sound propagation in free field. Sound in rooms is reflected from hard surfaces and can negatively influence the room acoustics.

Sound reduction
To enjoy privacy and speech audibility in a room, the sound reduction index (DnT,w) of the partition wall should be higher than 55 dB in apartment buildings

Effectiveness of Sound Reduction (DnT,w) between rooms.

In several European countries the sound insulation requirement between rooms of different apartments is DnT,w= 55 dB.

Impact sound reduction (Lw)

Sound is not only transferred by the air but also by the structure between floors and rooms Building structure design is giving the result as regards to impact noise- separating the floor from the structure is an important factor to reduce the nuisance from impact noise

Isover Building Design recommendations

Thermal comfort- Winter

general recommendations
In order to maximize the thermal comfort in a cold/medium cold climate:
a high level of an air-tight thermal insulation solution is necessary to keep the cold outside and the warm air inside the building a well designed ventilation system is required in order to renew the air and evacuate humidity The outgoing air should be used to heat the incoming fresh and filtered air The size-, quality-, surface-area- and the placing of the window in the building is highly effecting the comfort and special attention has to be put to this in the design stage The orientation of the windows should be towards the south and west in order to use the solar energy during the winter A ground heat exchanger is an opportunity to preheat the ingoing air hence improving the comfort
pipe must resist to ground pressure, soil acidity, air- and gas-tight (water vapor, radon) and be smooth, to make cleaning easy)

In a light structure building it is preferred to use a heating floor, if a heating source is needed

Thermal comfort- Summer

general recommendations
In order to maximize summer comfort in a warm climate:
a high level of thermal insulation is necessary to keep the heat outside and the cold air inside the building a well designed ventilation system (and/or opening of windows) is needed in order to cool the building during the night time the size, orientation and the placement of the window surface in the building is highly effecting the comfort and should be controlled a good protection (shadings) against sun radiation through windows is necessary and these should be installed outside the building the energy labeling for the inside equipment for cooking, cooling/freezing, lighting, TV etc. should be at the lowest possible level and switch of the standby on the equipment behavior/activity of occupants is highly effecting the summer comfort activities like cooking, lighting, watching TV etc. must be controlled closing the outside blinds in front of the window is necessary during day-time a ground heat exchanger is an opportunity to cool the ingoing air and improve the comfort pipe must resist to ground pressure, soil acidity, air- and gas-tight (water vapor, radon) and be smooth, to make cleaning easy) In a light structure building it is preferred to use a heating floor, if a heating source is needed. This floor could be used as a cooling floor in the summer and the heat should then be recuperated, i.e. for hot tap water additional internal heat storage mass, e.g. floors, external walls, partitions and ceilings can be achieved by extra layers) of plaster-board (with PCM, Phase Changing Material) The solar energy should be used to heat the tap water to the highest possible extent

Isover recommendation for optimal comfort and low energy consumption

Heat energy demand kWh/ma kWh/ma kWh/ma kWh/ma

300-250
Construction

150-100

50-40

< 15

195 180 Annual energy consumption (kWh/ma) 165 150 135 120 105 90 75 60 45 30 15 0
Transmission

U-value and insulation (=40 mW/m.K) thickness

1.30 W/mK 0 cm 0.40 W/mK 6 cm 0.20 W/mK 16 cm 0.10 W/mK 34 cm 0.10 W/mK 40 cm 0.12 W/mK 30 cm

Exterior wall (massive wall of 25 cm)

Passive house

Roof

0.90 W/mK 4 cm

0.22 W/mK 22 cm

0.15 W/mK 30 cm

Floors to ground

1.0 W/mK 2 cm

0.40 W/mK 7 cm

0.25 W/mK 20 cm

Ventilation

Solar gains Internal thermal sources Recovery of ventilation losses Heat energy demand

Windows

5.10 W/mK
Single glazing

2.60 W/mK
Double glazing

1.10 W/mK
Double glazing thermo

0.80 W/mK
Triple glazing special frame

Recommended minimum Thermal performances per building part

The energy consumption target for the building envelope should be at least equal or lower than 60 kWh/m2.y for net energy consumption (Heating, ventilation and hot water supply) which gives the recommended U-values as in the table on the right for the different building elements U-values in the table are put without special concerns to climate and are considered typical for a medium/cold climate It is assumed that the inertia needed in the summer is coming from the floating floor or the ground floor
An additional inertia of the building could be achieved with extra plaster board, possibly containing Phase Changing Material (PCM)
Application Roof Recommended U-value (W/mK) <0,15

Wall Floor Windows/Doors

<0,18 <0,2 <1,2

Thermal bridges WINDOWS/ OPENINGS Thermal bridges STRUCTURE

U < 0,03

U < 0,06

Air tightness recommendation

The air-tightness of a building should be < 0.7 (one) air change per hour with a pressure diff. of 50 Pa (Blower door test ISO 9772 EN 13829) Special attention should be put on insulation and air-tight joints around windows/openings to minimize the risk of leaks

The sustainable solution to guarantee the air- and wind tightness

Fixation of an independent airtightness layer/vapor retarder on the inside of the building

Taping the overlap between to sheets of the vapor retarder

Making sure that there is no air-leakage around ducts etc.

Guaranteeing the air-tightness between the roof and the wall by gluing the connection

Assuring the air-tightness and minimization of the thermal bridge between the roof and window element

Making sure that there is no air-leakage between the wall structure and the ground element.

Making sure that there is no air-leakage between the wall and window/doors/openings.