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CIBSE Heat Loss & Heat Gain (ApacheCalc)

Calculation Methods
<Virtual Environment> 5.9
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Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................3
2. Heat Loss.....................................................................................................................4
2.1. Heat Loss Methodology ....................................................................................................................4
3. Heat Gain.....................................................................................................................5
3.1. Heat Gain Methodology ....................................................................................................................5
3.2. Solar Radiation..................................................................................................................................6
3.2.1. Differences between Solar Gain Treatment in Heat Gain and ApacheSim..................................6
3.2.2. Meteorological Solar Variables .....................................................................................................6
3.2.3. Incident Solar Fluxes ....................................................................................................................7
3.2.4. Shading.........................................................................................................................................7
3.2.5. SunCast Shading Files .................................................................................................................7
3.2.6. Construction-based Shading Devices...........................................................................................8
3.2.7. Solar Reflected Fraction Parameter............................................................................................8
3.2.8. Distribution of Solar Radiation ......................................................................................................8
3.2.9. Special Element Adjacencies .......................................................................................................8
3.2.10. Solar Transmission, Absorption & Reflection by Glazing .............................................................8
3.2.11. Solar Absorption & Reflection by Opaque Surfaces.....................................................................8
3.2.12. External Long-wave Radiation......................................................................................................8
4. References ..................................................................................................................9
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1. Introduction
The program CIBSE Heat Loss & Heat Gain (APcalc) performs heat loss and
heat gain calculations according to the procedures laid down in CIBSE Guide A
(1995, 1999, 2001, 20006).
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2. Heat Loss
2.1. Heat Loss Methodology
The Heat Loss program applies the Simple Model described in Section 5.5.3
and Appendix 5A.1 of the CIBSE Guide (1995 edition, reprinted 1999). The
main features of this method are as follows:
The method calculates heat loss by conduction, infiltration and
mechanical ventilation.
Steady state conditions are assumed in the basic calculation.
An allowance for intermittent operation may be made using the factor
derived in Appendix 5.A5 of the Guide.
No allowance is made for casual or solar gains.
Heat gains from adjacent rooms may be accounted for at the users
option, using the Modified U-value method described in Section 5.5.3 of
the Guide.
Long-wave radiation exchange is modelled using a single radiant
temperature for each room.
Outside environmental temperature is assumed to equal outside air
temperature.
Convective/radiant surface resistances may be modified by the user.
The radiant fraction of the heating plant and the radiant fraction sensed
by the thermostat are under the users control.
The program Vista provides facilities for viewing the results of the Heat
Loss analysis.
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3. Heat Gain
3.1. Heat Gain Methodology
The Heat Gains program is based on the Simple Model described in Section
5.6.3 and Appendix 5A.2 of the CIBSE Guide [0]. The method has been
extended within the guidelines set out in the Guide (see Reference and Basic
models Section 5.6 and Appendix 5.A7) to provide a more general and
accurate treatment of solar gains through glazing. The main features of the
Simple Model are as follows:
The method calculates heat gains and losses by conduction, infiltration
and mechanical ventilation.
Conduction calculations are based on the CIBSE Admittance method.
The calculations are performed for the 24 hours of each design day, on
the hour.
The program makes allowance for casual and solar gains.
Heat gains from adjacent rooms may be accounted for at the users
option, using the Modified U-value method described in Section 5.5.3 of
the Guide.
Long-wave radiation exchange is modelled using a single radiant
temperature for each room.
Outside environmental temperature includes an allowance for solar gain
on opaque surfaces
Convective/radiant surface resistances may be modified by the user.
The radiant fraction sensed by the thermostat is under the users
control.
The cooling plant is assumed to be purely convective.
Solar gain through glazing is accounted for through the use of solar gain
factors.
Extensions to the Simple Model are applied as follows:
External shading may be taken into account through the use of shading files
generated by SunCast and calculations of local shading by window recesses
and overhangs.
The solar gain factor treatment applied in the Simple Model is replaced by an
approach that allows the software to deal with a greater variety of glazing
systems and to treat solar gain entering rooms more accurately. Properties of
glazing units are calculated from first principles using the transmission,
absorption and reflection characteristics of each layer of the glazing. These
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properties define the performance of the glazing over a range of incidence
angles and distinguish between beam and diffuse solar radiation. In place of
solar gain factors, which involve approximations unnecessary in a computer
implementation, the software uses a direct solution method based on the
principles set out in the Guide to calculate how the solar gain entering a room
is absorbed by and conducted through its surfaces.
Details of the solar algorithms are provided under Solar Radiation below.
The program calculates solar fluxes incident on the exterior of the building
rather than using tables of cooling load and sol-air temperature.
The user may specify a proportion of the solar gain entering a room that is
estimated to be lost be re-transmission out of the windows as short-wave
radiation.
Control for heating, as well as cooling, may be specified.
The user has control over the weather data used to drive the calculation.
3.2. Solar Radiation
3.2.1. Differences between Solar Gain Treatment in Heat Gain and ApacheSim
The treatment of solar gains in Heat Gain has much in common with the treatment in
Apache Simulation. The following differences should, however, be noted. In Heat
Gains:
Meteorological solar variables are calculated from parameters entered in
APlocate.
Incident solar fluxes are calculated on the assumption of isotropic sky
radiation.
Shading calculations do not include internal solar tracking.
No solar radiation is transferred between rooms.
A fixed Solar reflected fraction is applied (as set in Room Data).
The internal distribution of solar radiation follows CIBSE admittance
procedure principles.
3.2.2. Meteorological Solar Variables
The program generates design values of direct solar irradiance for clear sky
conditions using the following parameters set in APlocate:
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Latitude & longitude.
Standard meridian (time zone) and local time correction.
Height above sea level.
Haze factor.
Precipitable water content.
A detailed description of the method is provided in the APlocate User Guide.
Values of diffuse solar radiation are evaluated by the program as a function of solar
altitude only, and correspond to clear sky basic diffuse irradiances in Table A2.25 of
the CIBSE Guide A2.
3.2.3. Incident Solar Fluxes
The calculation of solar fluxes incident on external building surfaces follows the
procedure used in Apache Simulation, with sky radiation treated as isotropic. See
Apache Simulation Calculation Methods.
3.2.3.1. Treatment of Solar Radiation in Heat Gain
In Heat Gain, external shading factors read from a SunCast or SunCast Lite shading file are
applied to the incident solar radiation beam. However there is no solar tracking in this
program and no transference of diffuse radiation between rooms.
3.2.4. Shading
Shading of the beam component of solar radiation may be modelled in three ways in
Heat Gain:
Shading and solar tracking calculations performed by SunCast.
Shading calculations performed by APsim for construction-based shading
devices.
SunCast shading applies to both glazed and opaque surfaces. Construction-based
shading only applies to glazing.
3.2.5. SunCast Shading Files
Shading data generated by SunCast for the 15
th
day of selected months is stored on
a shading file with extension *.shd. The data for a given month comprises hourly
data describing the exposure of exterior building surfaces to beam solar radiation. In
the case of the SunCast file, internal solar tracking information is also stored on the
file, but this data is ignored by Heat Gain. If the shading file is specified at run time,
APsim reads the data and uses it to modify the beam component of solar radiation
for shaded external surfaces.
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3.2.6. Construction-based Shading Devices
Shading devices attached to constructions created in APcdb are modelled as
described in Apache Simulation Calculation Methods.
3.2.7. Solar Reflected Fraction Parameter
This parameter sets the proportion of solar gain entering a room that is assumed to
be lost by re-transmission through external glazing.
3.2.8. Distribution of Solar Radiation
Solar radiation entering a room is distributed internally according to principles set out
in the CIBSE Admittance Procedure.
3.2.9. Special Element Adjacencies
Windows in elements assigned the adjacencies Outside air with offset temp. and
Temp. from profile, and those in partition elements linking to inactive spaces,
receive no external solar radiation. Any radiation transmitted out of the building
through such windows in the course of the solar distribution is lost from the model.
3.2.10. Solar Transmission, Absorption & Reflection by Glazing
The solar properties of glazing elements are derived as described in Apache
Simulation Calculation Methods.
3.2.11. Solar Absorption & Reflection by Opaque Surfaces
External opaque building surfaces absorb and reflect solar radiation according to
their solar absorptance as assigned in APcdb. SunCast and SunCast Lite shading
data is applied to external opaque surfaces.
3.2.12. External Long-wave Radiation
Long-wave radiation loss from external surfaces in Heat Gain is assumed to take the
following values:
Walls: 21 W/m
2
Roofs: 91 W/m
2
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4. References
CIBSE Guide A Environmental Design. The Chartered Institution of Building
Services Engineers, London, 1999.
Atmospheric Effects on Solar Radiation for Computer Analysis of Cooling Loads
for Buildings at Various Location Heights, Journal of the Institution of Heating
and Ventilating Engineers Volume 39 (Feb. 1972)