Abstract

This paper focuses on studying the thermal performance of residential buildings through field measurements in cold climate of India. The objective is to evaluate and compare the thermal performance of naturally ventilated residential buildings on seasonal and locational aspects. Real-time thermal performance monitoring of buildings is carried out for one year in Mussoorie. The three residential buildings are distinct in terms of location, spatial arrangement, and income category. The models of the buildings are simulated in TRNSYS and validated using real time field data. This paper compares the maximum and minimum indoor temperature, time lag, decrement factor and heating degree discomfort hours. The effect of prospective energy conservation measures is compared for each house w.r.t the reduction in heating degree discomfort hours. It is observed that not all energy saving strategies result in the same reduction in heating degree discomfort hours. Incorporating the energy conservation methods like reducing wall and roof U-value, infiltration and changing glazing type results in HDD reduction of 46%, 38% and 43% in in House A, House B and House C respectively.