Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. CO
2
emissions from gas and
electricity were assumed to be fixed at 0.198 and 0.517 kg CO
2
/kWh, respectively
(DECC 2010, BRE 2010). Space heating and domestic hot water heating are powered
by gas as main fuel, and the cooling system is powered by electricity. Analysis was
conducted to identify the sensitivity of the results to changes in location, building
standards, construction methods and ventilation. Simulations were repeated with future
weather scenarios to analyse the effect of climate change on the major drivers of heating
and cooling demand.
Simulation Studies
All simulation studies carried out in the study uses a terraced house type and more
details were provided in the ‘Case Study Home’ section. Table 4 shows the summary of
the simulation studies.
Table 4. Simulation studies.
Study
Dwelling modelled
Weather data
Interest
A
Mid-terraced
and End-terraced
London
Micro location
B
Mid-terraced
Three location
Weather (region)
C
Mid-terraced
Three location
Construction standards
and methods
D
Mid-terraced
London
Ventilation rate
Study A considers the effect of micro location differences which means the case study
house are simulated as mid-terraced and end-terraced homes. It also discusses the
heating and cooling energy consumption.
Study B considers the effect of regional climatic differences within the UK and attempts
to establish the heating and cooling energy consumption for selected three different UK
locations: London, Manchester and Edinburgh to represent South, Central and North
regions of the United Kingdom.
Study C studies the effect of various construction standards under the selected three
locations as explained in Study B with two different construction methods that are light-
weight and heavy-weight constructions for attempting to establish the heating and
cooling energy consumption. The effect of climate change on this relationship was also
examined.
Study D analyses the sensitivity of the models to change in natural ventilation rate
(including infiltration) as ventilation is modelled with a fixed value. Best practice standard
for minimum and typical achievable maximum rates for existing standard of housing
were used (0.8 ac/h and 2.5 ac/h). The effect of climate change on this relationship was
also studied.
Results and Discussion
a) Study A - Sensitivity to Micro Location
In general trend, heating demand falls and cooling demand increases through the
climate scenarios. Therefore global warming have an impact on heating and cooling
demand, and Figure 3 shows the most significant difference was indicated in heating
energy consumption rather than the cooling energy consumption.
