Room models, currently used for controller tests, assume the room air to be perfectly mixed. A new room model is developed, assuming non-homogeneous room conditions and distinguishing between different sensor positions. From measurement in real test rooms and detailed CFD simulations, a list of convective phenomena is obtained that has to be considered in the development of a model for a room equipped with different HVAC systems. The zonal modelling approach that divides the room air into several sub-volumes is chosen, since it is able to represent the important convective phenomena imposed on the HVAC system. The convective room model is divided into two parts: a zonal model, representing the air at the occupant zone and a second model, providing the conditions at typical sensor positions. Using this approach, the comfort conditions at the occupant zone can be evaluated as well as the impact of different sensor positions. The model is validated for a test room equipped with different HVAC systems. Sensitivity analysis is carried out on the main parameters of the model. Performance assessment and energy consumption are then compared for different sensor positions in a room equipped with different HVAC systems. The results are also compared with those obtained when a well-mixed model is used. A main conclusion of these tests is, that the differences obtained, when changing the position of the controller's sensor, is a function of the HVAC system and controller type. The differences are generally small in terms of thermal comfort but significant in terms of overall energy consumption. For different HVAC systems the cases are listed, in which the use of a simplified model is not recommended. This PhD has been submitted in accordance to the conditions for attaining both the French and the German degree of a PhD, on a co-national basis, in the frame of a statement of the French government from January 18th, 1994. The research has been carried out in the Automation and Energy Management Group (AGE), Department of Sustainable Development (DDD), at the "Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment" (CSTB) in Marne la Vallée, France, in collaboration with the "Centre Energétique" (CENERG) at the "Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris" (ENSMP), Paris, France and the Technical University of Dresden (TUD), Germany.