Projects per year
Abstract
We approach this problem through carefully constructed pairwise comparisons designed to isolate the effect of insulation on overheating. We encompass the complete range of relevant variables: latitude, climate, insulation, thermal mass, glazing ratio, shading, occupancy, infiltration, ventilation, orientation, and thermal comfort models — creating 576,000 building variants. Data mining techniques are implemented in a novel framework to analyse this large dataset. To provide confidence, the modelling was validated against data collected from well-insulated dwellings.
Our results demonstrate that all parameters have a significant impact on overheating risk. Although insulation is seen to both decrease and increase overheating, depending on the influence of other parameters, parameter ranking shows that insulation only accounts for up to 5% of overall overheating response. Indeed, in cases that are not already overheating through poor design, there is a strong overall tendency for increased insulation to reduce overheating. These results suggest that, in cases with acceptable overheating levels (below 3.7%), the use of improved insulation levels as part of a national climate change mitigation policy is not only sensible, but also helps deliver better indoor thermal environments.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 740-759 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Building and Environment |
Volume | 143 |
Early online date | 26 Jul 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- Building simulation
- Energy policy
- Insulation
- Overheating
- Thermal comfort
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Building and Construction
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Mitigation versus adaptation: does insulating dwellings increase overheating risk?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Newton Fund - Zero Peak Building Energy Design for India
Natarajan, S. (PI), Coley, D. (CoI), Davenport, J. (CoI), McCullen, N. (CoI) & Walker, I. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/11/17 → 31/10/22
Project: Research council
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COLBE - The Creation of Localized Current and Future Weather for the Built Environment
Coley, D. (PI), Budd, C. (CoI), McCullen, N. (CoI) & Natarajan, S. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/09/15 → 31/08/19
Project: Research council
Profiles
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David Coley
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Professor
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Decarbonisation of the Built Environment (dCarb)
- Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI)
- Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net Positive World (RENEW)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff
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Sukumar Natarajan
- Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering - Professor
- Centre for Regenerative Design & Engineering for a Net Positive World (RENEW) - Centre Director
- Centre for Digital, Manufacturing & Design (dMaDe)
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
- Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio)
- Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (SES)
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff, Affiliate staff
Datasets
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Dataset for "Mitigation versus adaptation: Does insulating buildings increase overheating risk?"
Fosas, D. (Creator), Coley, D. (Creator), Natarajan, S. (Creator), Herrera Fernandez, M. (Creator), Fosas de Pando, M. (Creator) & Ramallo-González, A. (Creator), University of Bath, 26 Jul 2018
DOI: 10.15125/BATH-00390
Dataset
Equipment
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Balena High Performance Computing (HPC) System
Facility/equipment: Equipment
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High Performance Computing (HPC) Facility
Chapman, S. (Manager)
University of BathFacility/equipment: Facility