<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">My Ph.D thesis " An Integrated Design and Control Strategy for Energy Efficient Buildings, April 2002" discussed the relations between thermal mass " sensible and latent thermal mass", thermal insulation, solar radiation, and controlled natural ventilation. In this research I used Energy-Plus to test a house very similar to steve's house in Blacksburg, Virginia. The house was designed and built by Professor Yvan Beliveau (Virginia Tech.). I also collected field data for the house. <BR>
In summary, Internal thermal mass is a heat storage. If free heat source (or cooling source) is available, e.g from windows during warm days in winter or ventilation during cool nights in summer, then, thermal mass is useful. But if no free heat source is available, then, thermal mass may hurt since it will store the heat from the active heating or cooling system, especially when using more than one temperature set point for the active air conditioning.<BR>
The other half of the story, which is utilizing the </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><B>latent thermal mass</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"></B>, is introduced and thoroughly investigated for the first time in this research. I can e-mail this thesis in PDF file to any one who is interested in this subject.<BR>
Hussein. Abaza<BR>
Assistant Professor <BR>
East Carolina University<BR>
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