Indoor climate in low-energy houses - an interdisciplinary investigation

If energy demand in the building sector should be decreased, low-energy buildings, which are built with the aim of decreasing the use of energy, but still provide a good environment for the occupants, ought to be built on a larger scale. Investigations into how experimental houses function provides the opportunity of improving next-generation houses. This paper presents the results of an interdisciplinary investigation of the thermal environment and the space heating in 20 low-energy terraced houses. Qualitative interviews with the occupants as well as measurements of physical parameters have been conducted for this purpose. When the houses are inhabited and household appliances and candles are being used, the temperature can be managed within acceptable limits, even on cold days. However, those living in middle houses are generally more satisfied with their indoor temperature than the households of the gable houses. Results from both interviews and measurements show that there is a temperature difference between the floor levels, which is more pronounced in the gable houses. One outcome of the investigation is that information about the functionality of the heating system given to the households should be improved. Another outcome is that the accuracy of the temperature regulation system could be better. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.