The Building Science of Thermal Comfort

The Building Science of Health and Comfort: A Movement to Radically Transform

How We Build Oakland

https://dabrownstein.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/more-better-mapping-of-oaklands-populations/

Bronwyn BarryDesign Director, One Sky HomesDirector, Passive House CaliforniaCo-President, North American Passive House Network

JANUARY 2015 ROTARY

THERMODYNAMICS(NOT A NEW EXERCISE REGIMEN)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamics

Defined by Lord Kelvin as:

"Thermo-dynamics is the subject of the relation of heat

to forces acting between contiguous parts of bodies, and the relation of heat to

electrical agency."

A branch of physics concerned with • heat and • temperature and their relation to • energy and • work.

BASIC LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS(& MOST OF OUR BUILDINGS)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamics#Laws_of_thermodynamics

1. First law of thermodynamics: The increase in internal energy of a closed system is equal to the difference of the heat supplied to the system and the work done by it: ΔU = Q - W [74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84] (Note that due to the ambiguity of what constitutes positive work, some sources state that ΔU = Q + W, in which case work done on the system is positive.)

2. Second law of thermodynamics: Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder location to a hotter location.

3. Third law of thermodynamics: As a system approaches absolute zero the entropy of the system approaches a minimum value.

CLIFF NOTES:

HEAT FLOWS FROM HOT TO COLD

HEAT TRANSFER HAPPENS VIA:

• CONDUCTION• CONVECTION• RADIATION

THIS IS YOUR HOUSE|OFFICE (& MOST OF OUR BUILDING STOCK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObO20UukNQc

70 F

52 F

59 F15

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

• Surface temperature differences

• Internal and external temperature differences

• Radiant surface temperature differences

WHAT DOES THAT CREATE?

• Radiant discomfort• Convective currents (internal

drafts)• A need to mechanically heat

and cool the space• Mold potential

Pioneered the study of Thermal Comfort

Linked poor indoor air quality to • Asthma in children• Poor productivity in workplaces

His work still defines HVAC and he invented indoor air quality units:• Olf (strength of pollution source)• Decipol (perceived air quality)

OUR FRIEND POVL OLE FANGER

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Povl_Ole_Fanger

(DANISH DUDE WITH A BAD HAIRCUT)

HOW TO BUILD FOR COMFORT


(A RADICAL CONSPIRACY)

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

• Internal and external temperature differences

• Even surface temperatures • Reduced radiant surface

temperature differences

WHAT DOES THAT CREATE?

• Radical COMFORT• No convective currents (draft-

free)• Very small mechanical input

to heat and cool the space• Mold-free

70 F

62 F

52 F

Founder of the Passive House Institute

Transformed the design of thermal comfort into a building standard.

• Developed tools that anyone could use• Inspired 30,000 comfortable buildings• Made this methodology available around

the world

Defined Passive House:

ONE MORE FOREIGN DUDE

http://passipedia.org/basics/the_passive_house_-_definition

(DR. WOLFGANG FEIST)

“A Passive House is a building, for which thermal comfort (ISO 7730) can be

achieved solely by post-heating or post-cooling of the fresh air mass, which is

required to achieve sufficient indoor air quality conditions – without the need for

additional recirculation of air.”

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN OAKLAND?(& OTHER PLACES IN CALIFORNIA)


RETROFITS:

• Arizona Street Garage Conversion

• Laney College Ashton Street Renovation

COMING SOON:

• Laney College BEST Center built to Passive House

• Passive House windows built in Oakland


WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN CALIFORNIA?(& OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD)

Passive House Institute (International Certifying Body): (Visit www.passivehouse.com to view the growing list.)

Accredited North American trainers and certifiers:

North American Advocacy Groups:

Local Advocacy Organization:

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFO?

www.passivehousecal.org

Bronwyn Barry@PassiveHouseBB

[email protected]

THANKS

www.oneskyhomes.com

http://www.passivehouse.com/

http://www.oneskyhomes.com