O CONFORTO TÉRMICO EM SALAS DE AULA DE EDIFÍCIO DE ENSINO SUPERIOR

Abstract

Knowing thermal and energy building patterns is an important means of being effective in propose environmental performance improvement. This study develops a framework to analyse the thermal comfort of a set of classrooms in the UnaLiberdade Building. The methodology consists of the following steps: field study data collection, dynamic modelling and simulation using the software EnergyPlus, and the development of building thermal conditioning scenarios. Three building thermal conditioning scenarios were developed. Scenario 1 simulates natural ventilation only. Scenario 2 simulates natural ventilation together with the use of ceiling fans and Scenario 3 simulation combines natural ventilation and split air conditioning. The simulation results indicate that in Scenario 1, 62% of the classroom operational hours lays on acceptable thermal comfort range while in Scenarios 2 and 3 this value increases to 74% and 86% respectively. The results also indicate that the energy use intensity increased as fans and splits were introduced. From the thermal and energy performance perspective, there is room for technological (splits and artificial lighting) and envelope improvement (specially window facades). Identifying these possibilities opens real opportunities for energy consumption reduction and in a broader perspective it could allow the development of internal energy efficiency policies regarding other buildings of the institution.