Context dependency of comfort and energy performance in mixed-mode offices

Astrid Roetzel, Aris Tsangrassoulis, Udo Dietrich, Sabine Busching

    Abstract

    This article investigates the context dependency of comfort and energy performance in mixed-mode offices in the climate of Athens, Greece. It is based on a parametric study using the simulation software EnergyPlus. Context refers to different building design priorities on the real estate market (prestige, low cost and green), occupant behaviour scenarios (ideal and worst case) and cooling strategies (fixed and adaptive set points). Results are evaluated according to energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions, daylight autonomy, view and percentage of working time when heating and cooling are operating. The results indicate that a holistic approach to comfort and energy performance evaluation focused on the specific context of a building and its occupants is necessary to develop appropriate optimization strategies. In early design stages, such specific information is not yet available and ideal/worst-case scenarios can indicate the magnitude of influence of occupants compared to building design.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)303-322
    Number of pages20
    JournalJournal of Building Performance Simulation
    Volume4
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2011

    Keywords

    • occupant scenarios
    • building design
    • thermal and visual comfort
    • natural ventilation
    • cooling strategies
    • energy performance

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