Meta-analysis of indoor temperatures in new-build housing |
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Authors: | Gráinne McGill Tim Sharpe Lynette Robertson Rajat Gupta Ian Mawditt |
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Affiliation: | 1. Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU), Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, UKg.mcgill@gsa.ac.uk;3. Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU), Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, UK;4. Low Carbon Building Group, School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK;5. FourWalls, Bristol, UK |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACTDespite growing concerns about overheating, a lack of evidence exists on the scale of the problem, particularly in contemporary UK housing. This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis of indoor temperatures in selected low-energy housing. Temperature data recorded at five-minute intervals in 60 dwellings across 19 demonstration projects (2012–14) were collated and analysed to investigate the prevalence of overheating. Findings evidence high summertime temperatures, with 27% of living rooms exceeding 28°C during August. Based on the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) threshold of 5% annual occupied hours > 25°C, 57% of bedrooms and 75% of living rooms were classified as having overheated. Overall, 30% of living rooms exceeded the adaptive comfort threshold of > 3% occupied hours ΔT?≥?1?K. The results suggest a fundamental relationship between ventilation and indoor temperatures. The higher minimum and average summertime temperatures observed in mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) homes (p?<?0.05) and lower temperature range (p?<?0.001) suggest the need for greater attention to adequate summertime ventilation provision in airtight homes. The results demonstrate a high prevalence of overheating in exemplary housing, indicating the need for greater efforts to ensure the effective implementation of strategies to minimize overheating and improve ventilation in low-energy homes. |
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Keywords: | building performance heat stress housing low-energy buildings overheating thermal performance ventilation vulnerability |
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