This paper will present a general approach that may be used to solve natural ventilation designproblems typically addressed at the preliminary design stage - How wide should windows beopened in a given building for wind-driven cross ventilation on a moderate summer day? Howshould a ventilating monitor be configured to mitigate internal and solar gains on the samesummer day?
Continuously rising energy costs, the demand for reduction of CO2-emission and theprohibition of CFC-containing refrigerants create a base for new concepts of air-conditioning(A/C) systems. A primary action must be the prevention of heat consumption and cooling loadby improvement of the building architecture. Additional the efficiency of the A/C process mustbe improved, in order to reduce the energy input.In most cases the target is to replace the dehumidification process, which normally is realizedby refrigerating cycles, by alternative systems.
A difficulty when designing natural ventilation in office buildings is the lack of simple designtools.In order to be able to predict natural ventilation air flow rates and indoor air temperatures atthe design stage, a computer model has been developed within the EU-JOULE projectNatvent (TM). The program is an integrated model with a thermal and an air flow modelcoupled together.
Mixed mode buildings are attracting a considerable amount of interest due to their apparent potential to deliver comfortable, healthy conditions with significant energy and environmental benefits. BRE and WBA are currently engaged in a three year research programme to generate the guidance necessary to achieve the effective integration of various mixed mode strategies into the most appropriate building forms, considering the occupying organisation's mode of operation. The project will culminate in the production of a CIBSE Applications Manual.
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