Sun-space simulation

ceck · Posts: 48 Location: Padova

Hi Andy,

the efficiency of sun-spaces is greatly improved if I take the hot air from the sun-space and introduce it in the building.

So I'd like to take the renewal air for a certain building zone, not directly from the outside but from a semi-exposed zone (i.e. a sun-space). Obviously the semi-exposed zone takes the same air flow rate from the outside.

For example in mechanical/natural ventilation could you introduce the possibility to choose from where (outside - Semi-Exposed zone) the fresh air is taken?
This would allow a correct evaluation of a sun-space efficiency.

Let me know please.
Best regards
Luca

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1149 Location: Stroud

Luca,

DesignBuilder can model air movement between zones through openable windows, doors, vents and holes. Natural ventilation flow rates are calculated including the effect of wind pressures and buoyancy stack pressures, crack and opening sizes etc. You should switch to 'Calculated' natural ventilation in the building model options dialog.

DesignBuilder version 1.1 does not allow the calculation of mechanical ventilation used to transfer air from one zone to another. We expect to add this capability next year as part of the detailed HVAC modelling interface.

In the meantime, if you want to model the effect of extra airflow rates occurring during particular times of the day, you could use DesignBuilder to generate an IDF file and then outside DesignBuilder, add MIXING commands to the IDF data to model mechanical ventilation. In this case you will need to run EnergyPlus standalone.

I hope this helps,

Andy

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