The reality of English living rooms – A comparison of internal temperatures against common model assumptions

• Published in: Energy and buildings 2013-11, Vol.66, p.688-696
• Main Authors: Huebner, Gesche M., McMichael, Megan, Shipworth, David, Shipworth, Michelle, Durand-Daubin, Mathieu, Summerfield, Alex
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; BREDEM; Building stock models; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Engineering Sciences; Environmental engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Heating demand temperature; Heating duration; Humanities and Social Sciences; Internal temperature; Residential building; Sociology; Statistics; Types of buildings; Variability; Ventilation. Air conditioning
• ISSN: 0378-7788
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.025

•Mean temperatures in English homes are below the assumed 21°C.•Periods of temperatures of 21°C are shorter than assumed in building stock models.•Weekends and weekdays are similar in internal temperatures.•Homes differ widely in internal temperatures. This study examines the extent that temperatures in English living rooms correspond to standard assumptions made in established UK building stock models. Spot temperature measurements taken every 45min over 92 winter days in 248 homes in England were analyzed and compared to the assumed thermostat setting of 21°C inside and outside the assumed heating periods. Homes on average displayed lower internal temperatures during assumed heating periods and significantly shorter durations of heating to 21°C than common models assume, with about 20% of homes never reaching the assumed demand temperature of 21°C. Data showed a difference of only about 45min in the duration of temperatures at or above the demand temperature for weekdays and weekends, contrary to the assumed difference of 7h. Variability between homes was large. These findings suggest that currently used standard assumptions of heating demand and heating duration do not accurately reflect the living room temperatures of dwellings in England. Standard assumptions might have to be revised, in particular regarding the weekday–weekend differentiation. The prediction of internal temperature for a given home contains potential large error when using standard assumptions.