Conclusions
This study presented the field studies including the questionnaire-based survey on the students ’ thermal satisfaction and field monitoring of indoor air temperature as well as thermal simulation analysis for the female secondary school building in the city of Tehran , using passive design strategies in cold season . The base case building was modelled on a building thermal simulation tool , which in this case was DesignBuilder . Based on the passive design strategies and the students ’ thermal preferences , the optimum design solutions were defined for the secondary school buildings to improve the indoor thermal conditions . The suggested optimum solution includes buildings orientation , the use of thermal mass and thermal insulation in external walls and roof as well as appropriate double glazing . The primary simulation study was performed during a typical coldest week in February before school closure . The results of the questionnaire-based survey indicated that the indoor environment were considered comfortable based on the 7-point ASHRAE scale as more than 80 % of the votes were inside three central categories of ASHRAE scale while the heating system was in operation . However , the occupants preferred their indoor environment to be changed in cold seasons . In addition , the simulation results indicate that both the building fabric and the thermal properties had a significant influence on keeping the indoor temperature in an acceptable condition while the heating system is off , which also significantly help to reduce the energy consumption of the school building . Therefore , in order to create a high quality indoor environment and to increase the learning performance of the students , it is necessary to use the appropriate passive design strategies , which also reduce the need for mechanical systems in the school buildings and therefore save energy .
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