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In recent years, adaptive thermal comfort models have been integrated into several building design and operations regulatory documents. Although the theoretical background of the adaptive thermal comfort models is quite mature, still some ambiguities exist for their application. The objective of this study is to identify the main sources of uncertainty around application of adaptive models and to analyze quantitatively the difference between the adaptive comfort models proposed by the regulatory documents when applied across a spectrum of different climate zones. This paper analyzes the adaptive models in ASHRAE Standard 55, the European EN 15251 (and its revision prEN 16798), the Dutch ISSO 74 and the Chinese GB/T 50785. For each regulatory document, the major variations or sources of uncertainty are investigated: for ASHRAE 55, the length of the calculation period of the prevailing mean of outdoor temperature, and for EN 15251, prEN 16798, and GB/T 50785, the exponential decay weighting factors used in the calculation of the running mean outdoor temperature. This study shows that, although these regulatory documents have promoted the uptake of adaptive comfort models by practitioners and designers, uncertainties surrounding their application obstruct full exploitation. In response, this paper offers a fine-tuning of some of the adaptive comfort models. However, the issue of adaptive models' applicability in hybrid ventilation or mixed-mode buildings is still to be resolved, as is a rational basis for identifying the operational mode of such buildings when the adaptive models can be applied, because of their intermittent compliance during transition seasons and also extreme weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the experimental validation of a thermal model describing the ZEB Test Cells Laboratory, located at the Gløshaugen campus of NTNU and SINTEF in Trondheim, Norway. Besides, a local sensitivity analysis identifies the parameters and inputs that are most influential on the thermal behaviour of the test cell, in terms of temperature profiles of the internal air and internal surfaces. The analysis shows that, in free-running conditions, the most important parameters and inputs, out of the 49 tested ones, are: the air temperature in the guard zone, the initial temperature(s) of the test cell envelope, the linear dimension of the square window, the solar irradiance on the vertical plane of the window, the depth of the test cell, the thermal conductivity and the thickness of the polyurethane layer in the envelope, the solar direct transmittance of the window, the internal height and width of the test cell, the external air temperature and the electrical power input to the mixing fan. Based on the outcome of the local sensitivity analysis and on in-field observations, some practical measures to improve the quality of the input data provided to a dynamic energy simulation tool, and thus the accuracy of prediction of the temperature evolution of the test cell. Based on the outcome of the local sensitivity analysis and on in-field observations, we propose some practical measures to improve the quality of the input data provided to a dynamic energy simulation tool, and thus the accuracy of prediction of the temperature evolution of the test cell. For example, we suggest monitoring accurately the environmental conditions in the guard zone, which are particularly influential under free-running conditions, and installing a global irradiance pyranometer next to the window in order to reduce the uncertainty related to the entering solar load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupants' comfort perception affects building energy consumptions. To improve the understanding of human comfort, which is crucial to reduce energy demand, laboratory experiments with humans in controlled environments (test rooms) are fundamental, but their potential also depends on the characteristic of each research facility. Nowadays, there is no common understanding for definitions, concepts, and procedures related to human comfort studies performed in test rooms. Identifying common features would allow standardising test procedures, reproducing the same experiments in different contexts, and sharing knowledge and test possibilities. This review identifies 187 existing test rooms worldwide: 396 papers were systematically selected, thoroughly reviewed, and analysed in terms of performed experiments and related test room details. The review highlights a rising interest in the topic during the last years, since 46% of related papers has been published between 2016 and 2020. A growing interest in non-thermal sensory domains (such as visual and air quality) and multi-domain studies about occupant's whole comfort emerged from the results. These research trends have entailed a change in the way test rooms are designed, equipped and controlled, progressively becoming more realistic inhabitable environments. Nevertheless, some lacks in comfort investigation are highlighted: some continents (like Africa and South America) and climate zones are found to be underrepresented, while involved subjects are mainly students performing office tasks. This review aspires to guide scientists and professionals toward the improved design or the audit of test room experimental facilities, especially in countries and climate zones where human comfort indoors is under-studied. • Test rooms: environmentally controlled and equipped space to study human comfort. • Systematic review of controlled studies on human comfort (396 papers). • 187 test rooms analysed in terms of construction and technical details. • Overview of single and multi-domain comfort experiments conducted in test rooms. • Trends in conducted experiments and test room-related design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]