Search

Highlights: [•] An improved passive solar house suitable for cold area of China is presented. [•] The function of heat gain and solar irradiance is obtained by regression analysis. [•] The free running temperature prediction formula of passive solar house is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Adobe Yaokang for traditional heating in cold climates was presented. • A quantitatively analysis of the thermal performance of Yaokang was conducted. • Effect of Yaokang heating on indoor air quality were analyzed. • A mathematic model based on thermodynamics equilibrium of Yaokang was proposed. As a traditional heating system, Yaokang are widely used in cave dwellings in rural China. Yaokang are built by local craftsmen, according to traditional construction methods. To study the thermal environment of Yaodong dwellings with Yaokang heating and the effect of the burning of Yaokang on the health of residents, the thermal performance of Yaokang and the indoor air quality with Yaokang heating were quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that Yaokang has an excellent thermal storage capacity, and can supply heat to the room for a long period, even after the burning has stopped, with a thermal efficiency of 67.7%. Meanwhile, the concentrations of CO, particulate matter (PM2.5), CO 2 , and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor air were generally within the ranges of good air quality or light pollution. Finally, based on the theory of thermodynamics, a mathematical model of Yaokang heating process was established, and verified using experimental data. Based on the model, optimization of the thermal characteristics of Yaokang and effective regeneration designs for the Yaodong can be obtained. This study can also provide basic data and theoretical support for the protection and inheritance of vernacular buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exploring cooling behaviors beyond air conditioning in residential demand response. • Testing the effect of cooling behaviors on thermal comfort during demand response. • Identifying inaccuracy of prevalent thermal comfort models for demand response. • Developing more precise thermal comfort models for residential demand response. During periods of electricity demand response (DR) in residential buildings, inhabitants frequently engage in supplementary cooling behaviors, extending beyond the utilization of air conditioning (AC). However, the prevalent thermal comfort models, namely the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Temperature Range Method (TRM), which are typically employed during DR periods, are designed for stable environments and do not consider the impact of these additional cooling behaviors. This study aims to develop novel thermal comfort models that more accurately reflect these behaviors during residential DR periods. The initial stage of the study involved a questionnaire survey conducted among residents in Zhengzhou, China, to investigate the AC usage patterns and additional cooling behaviors. Subsequently, typical AC DR strategies, which include increasing indoor temperature set points and turning off AC, along with the three most comment additional cooling behaviors, namely utilizing an electric fan, reducing clothing and consuming cold beverages, were examined through multi-scenario experiments. The findings from these experiments facilitated the development of two novel models: the PMV-DR model, indicative of the thermal comfort level, and the TRM-DR model, representative of the thermal comfort acceptance rate (AR) during the DR period. When compared with the traditional PMV and TRM models, these newly proposed models demonstrated greater consistency with the experimental results. As a result, these models could serve as the basis for thermal comfort evaluations during residential DR periods in the Zhengzhou region. Furthermore, they could provide a methodological benchmark for other geographical locales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]