A Case Study of a Nursing Home in Nagano, Japan: Field Survey on Thermal Comfort and Building Energy Simulation for Future Climate Change

Tatsuki Kainaga, Kengo Sagisaka, Rintaro Yamada and Takashi Nakaya
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Tatsuki Kainaga: Architecture Division, Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Nagano 380-8553, Japan
Kengo Sagisaka: Architecture Division, Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Nagano 380-8553, Japan
Rintaro Yamada: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Shinshu University, Nagano 380-8553, Japan
Takashi Nakaya: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Shinshu University, Nagano 380-8553, Japan

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-37

Abstract: With an increase in the aging population in many countries worldwide, much attention is being paid to the study of thermal comfort for the elderly. Because the elderly spend most of their time indoors, the demand for air conditioning is expected to increase, and it is important to study the thermal comfort of the elderly and appropriate operation plans for air conditioning. In this study, we conducted a field survey of thermal comfort and building energy simulation for an air-conditioned nursing home in Nagano, Japan. The field survey was conducted between June 2020 and June 2021. Over 80% of the subjects were satisfied with the indoor thermal environment. The thermal neutral temperature of the elderly was 25.9 °C in summer and 23.8 °C in winter. Future weather data was used to predict the future heating and cooling loads of the nursing home. The results showed that the total heat load may not change significantly, as the decrease in heating load compensates for the increase in cooling load. This study will serve as a useful reference for a wide range of stakeholders, including managers and designers of nursing homes.

Keywords: elderly people; nursing home; thermal comfort; climate change; building energy simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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