ABSTRACT
This paper describes a test protocol, based on ASHRAE (2004) and used to evaluate the thermal comfort performance of a forced-air HVAC system as installed within a single-family home. The Short Term Room Air Temperature (STRAT) test procedure is designed to evaluate the thermal comfort performance of a house through space and time so that designs can be compared and optimized using a universal rating scale. The test procedure addresses thermal comfort and system performance criteria put forth by ASHRAE (2004) and ACCA (1995) that are not adequately supported by an established test protocol. Thermal comfort for each room is rated in terms that predict percent dissatisfied by evaluating the average spatial temperature of each room, thermal stratification, and floor temperature. Case studies of heating and cooling performance for forced-air systems are presented. Results show thermal comfort impacts of multi-stage operation, return inlet locations, multi-zone operation, and other system settings.
