Correlation-complementary model of building envelope effects on indoor temperature

The thermal performance of building envelopes significantly impacts indoor temperature stability and building energy efficiency. However, existing research has paid limited attention to the comprehensive effects of interactions among envelope components on the indoor thermal environment, making it challenging to achieve ideal indoor thermal conditions through optimal envelope configuration in practical design. To address this research gap, this work has developed complementary heat transfer models in the form of radiation and convection based on fundamental thermodynamic principles. The accuracy and applicability of these models are validated using cross-seasonal experimental data. Results demonstrate that both the Radiation-air temperature correlation-complementary model and the convection-air temperature correlation-complementary model exhibit high predictive precision, with maximum mean relative errors of only 2.03% and 1.93%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis further reveals distinct characteristics between the two models, with the radiation model exhibiting stronger nonlinearity (mean σ / μ * = 0.893) and greater sensitivity under large temperature differences and complex radiation conditions. Conversely, the convection model demonstrates more pronounced linearity (mean σ / μ * = 0.565) and higher sensitivity to small temperature differences and strong ventilation conditions. This study provides a high-performance simulation tool for optimizing the thermal performance of building envelopes, which contributes to enhanced indoor thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption in architectural design and operation. • Complementary heat transfer model of envelopes on indoor air temperature is developed. • Maximum average relative error of the complementary heat transfer model is only 2.03%. • Sensitivity analysis distinguishes the applicable scenarios for the two models.