Improving ventilation and thermal comfort in buildings

By studying ventilation, heating and cooling systems, CSIRO is helping to improve the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of buildings, tunnels and car parks.

• 10 February 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Overview
• Skills and experience
• Implementation
• Facilities  

Overview

CSIRO hosts internationally recognised scientists and engineers who are working towards improving the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of buildings.

In addition to research efforts in this field, CSIRO also offers a comprehensive range of testing and consulting services.

Skills and experience

CSIRO applies advanced computer modelling technology to improve building design in two broad areas.

Our thermal technologies and energy efficient building design tools assist architects by:

• allowing them to demonstrate the efficiency of a building design to clients
• assisting in developing the most efficient design that can significantly reduce future heating and cooling costs
• including a combination of modelling expertise and CSIRO software created to suit Australia’s unique conditions and can address complex thermal design issues.

Our ventilation modelling and technologies include several analysis tools to help architects and engineers assess the performance of natural and mixed-mode ventilation of residential, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as car parks.

Each of these areas brings a number of benefits to industry, architects, engineers and building users.

Reduced energy consumption reduces costs and the ecological footprint of Australia’s built environment, while improved thermal comfort improves occupant satisfaction and productivity.

Implementation

CSIRO’s comprehensive engineering capabilities provides total building energy modelling at the design stage.

A number of new products have been developed and are available to industry, including:

• Energy Express for Architects: software for calculating operating energy consumption and cost for commercial buildings at the design stage (distributed nationally by Hearne Scientific Software)
• NatHERS and AccuRate: software for rating the heating and cooling energy efficiency of new dwellings according to the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme
• CHEMIX: an integrated multi-zone thermal and natural ventilation program for calculating hourly flow rates and air temperatures in complex buildings as a function of building construction, weather data and location and size of openings.

Consulting services are also available, including:

• advice on natural ventilation of large industrial buildings
• computer modelling of thermal performance of buildings
• physical modelling
• selection of control strategies
• advice on energy efficient ventilation systems for carparks.

Facilities

CSIRO facilities include a comprehensive range of highly specialised and state-of-the-art equipment, test stations, and wind tunnels in addition to research and development facilities.

Learn about AccuRate: helping designers deliver energy efficient homes.