THERMAL CONDITIONS, REVISION 15.1.2018 Marianna Luoma National Building Code of Finland: D2 Source: Seppänen, O. and Seppänen, M., Indoor Climate in Residential Buildings and HEPAC Technology, 1996
Indoor air temperature design value during the heating season is 21 ºC National Building Code of Finland: indoor climate and ventilation of new buildings (D2) Indoor air temperature design value during the heating season is 21 ºC Acceptable range is 20-25 ºC during the heating season; 20-27 ºC outside the heating season
Temperature levels used in Finnish housing Measurements carried out in 241 housing units in the Helsinki region 155 units in detached houses (including terraced houses) 87 units in high-rise buildings Measurements made in November 1988 - April 1989 (Ruotsalainen, R.) Measurement period duration of two weeks per housing unit Average value 21.8 ºC, variation range 18-27 ºC More than 50% of the units had a variation range of 21-23 ºC
Temperature variation Variation is caused, for example, by control equipment functions, thermal loads and external air temperature variations Large temperature variations are experienced as unpleasant (especially in body areas between the head and ankles) Structural heat capacity may be used to reduce temperature variations to a certain extent
Uneven thermal radiation A room’s thermal conditions may be comfortable on average, but heat radiation may cause unpleasant fluctuations in thermal conditions large windows heaters, radiators To be assessed by means of radiation temperature
Floor surface temperature A cold floor surface cools the feet and may cause discomfort The floor surface temperature may easily drop too low in cases where the floor borders with external air or with a semi-heated space. When using normal footwear, the surface temperature for a person in the sitting position is 25 ºC, and 23 ºC in the standing position. An applicable design value for floor heating is 29 ºC Floor heating may cause problems through excessive floor surface temperature levels In bathrooms, floor heating is experienced as a comfortable solution
Thermal conditions and building design Massive wall structures attenuate the effect of external air temperature variations on indoor air temperature, during cold and warm seasons alike
Glass constructions Large, sunny windows may cause extreme temperature levels in summer and a freezing sensation in winter
Internal thermal loads Improved thermal insulation in wall construction has increased the effect of internal thermal loads on indoor temperature levels Summertime temperature levels in workplaces may become excessive A rise in indoor temperature may be prevented through mechanical cooling FROM BUILDING HEATING TO BUILDING COOLING?