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Design Tools for Evaluating Alternative Strategies' Impact on Human Comfort
Abstract
Many designers recognize that energy
savings can be achieved with alternative or
innovative strategies; however, few design
tools have been available to assist
designers with evaluating alternatives.
This paper demonstrates the use of a
standard psychrometric chart enhanced with
an expanded comfort zone plot based on
multiple energy conservation strategies.
Average local weather conditions can be
plotted by month on the psychrometric chart
to indicate which design alternatives have
the greatest potential benefits. By
utilizing a familiar engineering design
tool to communicate integrated design
techniques, better coordination can be
achieved between architects and engineers.
Victor Olgyay pioneered similar work at
Notre Dame in the 1950's; however, his
unusual graphical presentation has hindered
widespread understanding and use of the
fundamentals of expanded comfort zones.
This paper outlines the basic
concept of the expanded comfort zone with
applications for use of mean radiant
temperatures, direct radiation. air
movement and evaporative cooling with
examples shown for Dallas and Houston
climates.
Citation
Holder, L. M. III; Hart, M. N. (1985). Design Tools for Evaluating Alternative Strategies' Impact on Human Comfort. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6833.