- 2080 Chaitra · 4 marks
Factors affecting thermal performance
Short answer
Four basic factors affecting thermal performance: climate and site (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind); orientation and building form (geometry, solar gain, exposed surface area); building envelope materials and construction (conductivity, thermal mass, reflectivity, U-value); openings and ventilation (window size, position, shading, air leakage).
Explain four basic factors affecting thermal performance of a building.
The thermal performance of a building is its capacity to keep the interior comfortable by controlling heat flow. Four basic factors are:
- Climate and site: Air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind and rainfall decide the heating or cooling load. Site features such as slope, trees and neighbouring buildings change local exposure.
- Orientation and building form (geometry): The direction of the building and its shape decide the solar gain and the exposed surface area. A compact form with long axis east-west reduces heat exchange.
- Building envelope materials and construction: Conductivity, thickness, thermal mass, colour and reflectivity of walls, roof, floor, and glass. Resistance is and transmittance . Low U-value gives better performance. Heavy materials give time lag.
- Openings and ventilation: The size, position and shading of windows control solar gain, daylight and air movement. Air leakage and natural ventilation affect both heat and humidity.
Other factors are internal heat gains (occupants, lights, appliances) and the use pattern.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
Related questions
- Thermal performance and building geometry · Building Technology, chapter 1
- Daylight factor, thermal factors, natural ventilation · Building Technology, chapter 1
- Thermal performance, transmittance of composite wall · Building Technology, chapter 1
- Thermal comfort and its factors · Building Technology, chapter 1 · asked 2×
- Factors affecting foundation design, improving bearing capacity · Building Technology, chapter 2
- Human thermal comfort and thermal balance · Building Technology, chapter 1 · asked 4×
- Factors affecting water demand; variation · Water Supply Engineering, chapter 3 · asked 5×
- Factors affecting bearing capacity; water table · Foundation Engineering, chapter 6 · asked 5×
- Incentives; factors affecting wage/salary · Organization and Management, chapter 7 · asked 3×
- Forms of chlorination and affecting factors · Water Supply Engineering, chapter 6 · asked 3×