PhD (General)

Title

Thermal Mass and Thermoregulation: A Study of Thermal Comfort in Temperate Climate Residential Buildings

Research Structure

Thermal mass refers to solid elements of buildings that store solar or thermal energy and later release this energy as heat, and are a major constituent of a passive solar heating system. Thermal mass significantly impacts the thermal environment within a building. Thermal comfort studies have recognised that rigid standards for analysing thermal comfort are often flawed and inaccurate. An adaptive approach to assess thermal comfort recognises that humans have a variety of mechanisms to achieve thermal comfort, and discomfort arises from restriction of these choices. Very little research has been conducted in Tasmania into the thermal performance of buildings, the effectiveness of thermal mass in the thermoregulation of buildings, and thermal adaptation.

My project will examine thermoregulation and thermal comfort in Tasmanian residential buildings with regard to thermal mass. My research objectives are: to compare the performance of thermal mass across various residences in Hobart; to examine the habits and activities of residents with regard to thermal comfort; and to critically determine optimal thermal mass volumes that can be applied by architects and building designers working in Tasmania and similar temperate climates.

My research project comprises a series of case studies examining residential buildings with different thermal characteristics within the greater Hobart area. Each case study involves: the detailed examination of thermal and structural properties of the residence; the gathering of physical measurements inside the building; the adaptive study of how residents interact with their thermal environment; and computer modelling of the residences.

The resulting thermal profiles will facilitate the development of guidelines for the implementation of thermal mass in Tasmanian (and potentially interstate and international) houses with an awareness of both the physical properties of the building, and the lifestyle of the residents.

Conferences Publications

Parsons, Sam and Lorne Kriwoken 2006. Thermal Mass, Thermal Comfort and Thermoregulation in Cool Temperate Climate Residential Buildings. Clean Energy? Can Do! 44th Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society Conference.

Parsons, Sam 2006. Thermal Mass and Thermoregulation: A Study of Thermal Comfort in Temperate Climate Residential Buildings. Repair, Reconstruction and Reconciliation: A Profile of Remediation in Tasmania, Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Conference.

Community Involvement

I have also been involved in science communication, and have presented a weekly science radio program on community radio for several years.

Biography

I completed my BSc with first class honours with the University of Tasmania in 2003, looking into waste management and recycling practices of SMEs. Following that I worked for a private land management consultancy, before moving to work as consultant geographer for a private planning firm. With a growing interest in passive solar heating, in 2005 I began my PhD in an area relative to the field.