Thermal comfort analysis for the first Passivhaus in Qatar

Khalfan, M and Sharples, Steve ORCID: 0000-0002-6309-9672 (2016) Thermal comfort analysis for the first Passivhaus in Qatar. In: SBE16 Dubai, 2016-1-17 - 2016-1-19, Dubai - UAE.

Text MAY SBE16D115.pdf - Unspecified Download (780kB)

Abstract

The Passivhaus standard is a well-established energy efficient standard, initially developed for central European countries, where heating is the dominant building requirement. The success of the Passivhaus standard has attracted the attention of architects and engineers around the world, including Qatar. Qatar has recently announced the first Passivhaus project in the MENA region. The project is experimental in nature - two villas have been constructed side-by-side, one according to the Passivhaus standard and the other according to conventional construction practices in the country. The objective of the study is to test the environmental performance of the Passivhaus standard in a hot and arid climate. The performance of the two villas has been analysed using the IES-VE building performance simulation tool, with the focus on the thermal comfort of the indoor environment. The indoor temperature and relative humidity were the main indicators of occupant comfort levels. Annual hourly data were analysed and, in addition, a detailed analysis of the occupied spaces in both villas on the typically hottest and coldest days of the year was undertaken. The findings indicated a consistent and more uniform level of comfort in the Passivhaus model compared to the standard base model; additionally, the cooling energy requirements to achieve comfort in the Passivhaus villa could frequently be met by the villa’s own on-site renewable energy system. Initial findings suggest that the Passivhaus standard is potentially viable in a hot and arid climate.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	8 pages
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	20 Jan 2016 17:00
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2022 00:49
Publisher's Statement :	Copyright © British University in Dubai
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2047759