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Effects of ventilation behaviour on indoor heat load based on test reference years
Madeleine Rosenfelder1, Christina Koppe2, Jens Pfafferott3
1Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79085, Freiburg, Germany. maddiros@online.de.
International Journal of Biometeorology
|June 8, 2015
Summary
European heat health warning systems need to consider indoor conditions. This study shows nighttime ventilation is crucial for reducing indoor heat stress in nursing homes, with morning ventilation also proving effective.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Building science
- Public health
Background:
- European heat health warning systems (HHWS) primarily use outdoor meteorological data.
- Indoor thermal conditions significantly impact human health, especially for vulnerable populations.
- Existing HHWS do not adequately address indoor heat load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different natural ventilation strategies in reducing indoor heat stress in a nursing home setting.
- To analyze future heat load changes under different ventilation scenarios.
- To inform the development of improved HHWS that incorporate indoor thermal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a thermal building simulation model to represent a standard nursing home.
- Simulated various natural ventilation techniques, including window opening strategies and durations.
- Analyzed indoor heat load using current and future test reference years.
Main Results:
- Different ventilation methods significantly impact indoor thermal comfort and heat stress levels.
- Nighttime ventilation, particularly fully open windows, combined with morning/evening ventilation, is more effective than partial opening or shorter durations.
- Morning ventilation demonstrated particular efficacy in maintaining low indoor heat load.
- All ventilation types showed increased heat stress in future climate scenarios compared to current conditions.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate ventilation strategies can substantially mitigate indoor heat stress in nursing homes.
- Nighttime and morning ventilation are critical for maintaining indoor thermal comfort during heatwaves.
- Future climate change will exacerbate indoor heat stress, necessitating adaptive ventilation strategies.
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