Requirements for Building Thermal Conditions under Normal and Emergency Operations in Extreme Climates.

Area of Science:

• Building Science
• Environmental Engineering
• HVAC Systems

Background:

• Extreme climates (arctic and hot-humid) pose significant challenges for building energy management.
• Maintaining optimal indoor thermal and moisture conditions is crucial for occupant comfort, building integrity, and energy efficiency.
• Existing building operation guidelines often lack specific recommendations for extreme climate conditions and varied occupancy states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish recommended thermal and moisture parameters for buildings in extreme cold/arctic and hot-humid climates.
• To provide guidance for normal and emergency operation conditions across different building occupancy scenarios (occupied, temporarily unoccupied, long-term unoccupied).
• To support energy-efficient building design and operation in challenging environmental conditions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of thermal and moisture requirements based on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) climate zones.
• Development of parameter recommendations for occupied, temporarily unoccupied (2-5 days), and long-term unoccupied (hibernated) building states.
• Consideration of both normal and emergency operational conditions.

Main Results:

• Specific ranges for air temperature, humidity, and air content are recommended for different climate zones and occupancy scenarios.
• Guidelines address the unique challenges of maintaining building environments in DOE climate zones 6-8 (cold/arctic) and 0-2a (hot and humid).
• Recommendations are tailored to balance energy consumption with the preservation of building systems and occupant well-being.

Conclusions:

• Implementing these thermal and moisture parameter recommendations can enhance building performance in extreme climates.
• The guidelines facilitate energy savings and maintain building integrity during various occupancy states, including extended periods of vacancy.
• This research provides a critical resource for building designers, operators, and policymakers addressing climate resilience and energy efficiency.