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[EnergyPlus_Support] thermal mass

Dear all,

An off-topic question if you do not mind, suppose one has two (isolated/detached) rooms, Room A having hollow cement block walls 4 inches thick, Room B having same type of walls 10 inches thick.  Rooms are free-running no ac's and all other parameters are identical.  They have a 6 in. concrete roof. No insulation. Both rooms painted white all over.

The aim is to get the inside temperature as much as possible in tune with that outside since the rooms will house astronomical equipment and the movement of warm air currents from inside to the outside (or vice versa) will be of a disadvantage (during the night).  Heat should be lost as rapidly as possible after sunset.

Which one of the rooms will provide the best solution?  Logic would say that the one with the thicker walls provides more thermal mass and hence a reduction of the temperature swings inside the room. However, wouldn't the thicker walls (having more thermal inertia) absorb more heat throughout the day than the thinner ones and re-radiate this stored heat back during the night?  A low thermal mass room on the other hand would cool down to ambient temp more rapidly.

Your views are appreciated.
Best regards,
Alex



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