Simulation of indoor temperature and humidity conditions in the suburban and urban area over a hot summer

Abstract

Urban areas are already suffering from the heat island effect. In the context of climate change, there will be higher temperatures and longer, more severe, and more frequent heat waves. The balance of indoor air temperature and relative humidity is very important for health and comfort of the occupants, building energy consumption and durability of the building envelope. In this study, a numerical model that incorporates building envelopes, indoor environment, indoor moisture and heat generation is developed. This model is validated with an analytical solution and with the BESTEST cases. We apply the whole building simulation model to study indoor temperature and humidity conditions in urban and suburban areas in Zurich, Switzerland in the summer of 2018. Indoor air temperature and relative humidity will not be accurately simulated when moisture transport in the building envelopes is not considered. There is a large difference of indoor temperature in the urban and suburban area during heat wave. The effect of moisture transport in the building envelopes on indoor temperature and relative humidity is important. Moisture transport could sometimes have a large influence on indoor thermal conditions. There is a potential of using hygroscopic material to lower indoor air temperature during heat waves.