Comfort Considerations in Net ZEBs: Theory and Design - Modeling, Design, and Optimization of Net-Zero Energy Buildings - page 107

for Net ZEBs, daylight's importance to health and well-being (Veitch, 2011),
and the predominant use of vertically oriented computer monitors (as
opposed to deskwork). Visual comfort is affected by window size, position,
and type, and interior geometry and finishes. Daylight glare can be
controlled using fixed shading (e.g., overhangs and fixed louvers) and
dynamic shading devices (e.g., blinds).
Acoustic comfort is often neglected during the design of standard and Net
ZEBs because it can conflict with good daylighting and natural ventilation
design.Recentreportsofpost-occupancyevaluationoflow-energybuildings
have revealed that they generally score high for all categories of occupant
satisfactionexceptforacousticqualityandprivacy(Abbaszadeh etal. ,2006;
Newsham et al. , 2013). Acoustic comfort is directly linked to health and
productivity(CrookandLangdon,1974;LeamanandBordass,2000;Veitch,
1990). Furthermore, poor acoustic quality can compromise
energy-conserving strategies like natural ventilation because occupants are
faced with choosing between thermal comfort and having a quiet indoor
environment.
Indoor air quality refers to the health and comfort-related properties of
building air. Modern buildings tend to have high concentrations of
occupants and materials that can compromise healthy IAQ unless sufficient
solutions are implemented. While IAQ is typically good in new Net ZEBs
and other high-performance buildings due to the emphasis on IAQ in many
green building standards, the high concentration of synthetic materials
presents a challenge.
As described in detail in this chapter, occupant comfort is complex and
subtle; seemingly minor localized discomfort can adversely affect the
perceived indoor environment. The objective of this chapter is to identify
and quantify major sources of comfort.
3.2 Thermal Comfort
In order to assess the operational performance of a building and to quantify
thermal discomfort, reliable methods to evaluate the long-term general
thermal comfort conditions in a building are required. Net ZEBs are
characterized by a notable reduction of energy required for space
conditioning.But,suchenergyreductionshouldnotcompromisethequality
of their indoor thermal environment.