Energy Performance Certification and CFD Simulations of Thermal Comfort in Non-Residential Building

Abstract

In 2011, the Republic of Serbia adopted a new legislation on the energy efficiency certification of buildings. This introduced new requirements which demand proof of adequate levels of thermal comfort in buildings by designing and conducting energy efficiency reports. The energy performance certification for new hotel building on Serbian mountain Zlatibor is presented in the paper. The harsh mountain climate conditions were considered together with the building type and usage. The thermal comfort conditions were simulated for three different types of heating system: radiator, under-floor heating and parapet fan coil system. The CFD simulations were performed using software tool PHOENICS FLAIR. One representative hotel apartment was selected and modeled. The results on temperature fields, air velocity distributions, radiant temperature, PMV and PPD indices were obtained, and analyzed for mentioned systems. Using CFD simulations in early stage of the design process enables an appropriate decision making regarding the type of HVAC system which would be the most convenient for specified type of building. The results presented in paper give the overview of the system which provides the most desirable thermal comfort conditions.