Ventilative cooling potential assessment tool
Authors : F. Flourentzou, J. Van der Maas, C.-A. Roulet
Last program version: 1996
Abstract | LESOCOOL is a simple computer tool for the evaluation of the ventilative cooling potential. The small number of input data and the user friendliness of the program help the user to determine rapidly the influence of the main parameters. |
Functions | LESOCOOL calculates the cooling potential and the overheating risk in a naturally or mechanically ventilated building, showing the temperature evolution, the air flow rate and the ventilation heat transfer. It can also take into account convective or radiative heat gains. |
Multizone model | Single zone modelling is sufficient for most purposes. However a multizone model is available for the evaluation of the temperature evolution along the air path. This model is applicable to single path ventilation of zones ventilated in series. |
Few input parameters | With very few input data LESOCOOL can determine the dominant parameters and show the good tendencies. The required input parameters are the wall first layer material and surface, the opening dimension and position and the time schedules for heat gain, ventilation and external temperature. |
Lesocool is a user-friendly program | The Windows interface and the small number of input parameters make Lesocool very user friendly. It has a standard interface for non experts in building physics and a professional edition allowing more functions. The user can shift easily from one interface to the other. |
Examples of typical cases studied with Lesocool |
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Lesocool cannot… | LESOCOOL is not a full building simulation program, but it allows rapid parametric studies to evaluate overheating risks and the potential of passive cooling by ventilation with outdoor air. It therefore only includes the parameters which strongly influence this cooling potential. It cannot simulate multi-layer and thin walls and the simulation period must not exceed a few days. For the multi-zone modelling, zones must be ventilated in series without bifurcation. The dominant thermal coupling between zones must be due to ventilation. |
Last program version: 1996
Information: leso-pb[at]epfl.ch