- Author
- Burch, D. M. | Davis, K. L. | Malcolm, S. A.
- Title
- Effect of Wall Mass on the Summer Space Cooling of Six Test Buildings.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 90, No. Part 2, 5-21, 1984
- Report
- KC-84-01,
- Keywords
- residential buildings; walls; cooling load; reprints
- Identifiers
- thermal mass; energy conservation
- Abstract
- Six test buildings were extensively instrumented for measuring summer space cooling loads and indoor comfort. The test buildings were 20x20 ft (6.1x6.1m) one-room buildings and had the same floor plan and orientation. They were identical, except for the wall construction, which was as follows: insulated lightweight wood frame; uninsulated lightweight wood frame; uninsulated masonry with outside mass; uninsulated masonry; log; and insulated masonry with inside mass. The test buildings were exposed to summer climate at Gaithersburg, MD. Tests were carried out to investigate the effect of wall mass on the space cooling requirements when the test buildings were operated in the following fashions: fixed indoor thermostat setting of 65 degree F (18 degree C), fixed indoor thermostat setting of 76 degree F (24 degree C), and night ventilation cooling. The purpose of the test with a fixed indoor thermostat setting of 65 degree F (18 degree C) was to simulate building performance with a thermostat setting of 76 degree F (24 degree C) which would occur in hotter climates. The study conclusively demonstrates the existance of a thermal mass effect on daily cooling requirements, peak cooling load, and the cooling energy savings achieved by night ventilation for the six test buildings.