Thermalkomfort

Thermalkomfort is a concept used in building science and occupational health to describe a state of perceived physical comfort with the surrounding thermal environment. It refers to the condition in which a person feels neither too hot nor too cold and is typically associated with stable body temperature and minimal distraction from thermal sensations.

The perception of thermalkomfort is influenced by a range of factors that interact in complex ways. Environmental factors include air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity. Personal factors include metabolic rate, clothing insulation, activity level, and individual differences in thermoregulation. Because of these interactions, the same environmental conditions can feel comfortable to some people and uncomfortable to others.

Assessment and standards commonly use thermal comfort indices such as the predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD). PMV estimates the average thermal sensation of a large group on a seven-point scale, while PPD indicates the proportion of people expected to be dissatisfied at a given PMV. Standards and guidelines, including ASHRAE 55 and ISO 7730, describe acceptable comfort ranges and provide design criteria for indoor environments. In naturally ventilated or hybrid buildings, adaptive comfort models may be used, recognizing that occupants adapt to their outdoor conditions.

Applications of thermalkomfort knowledge guide building design and operation. Strategies include controlling air temperature and humidity, managing mean radiant temperature through surface design, providing adequate and adjustable airflow, selecting appropriate clothing allowances, and enabling occupant control and zoning. The goal is to balance comfort with energy efficiency while recognizing individual and cultural variation in comfort perception. Limitations arise from subjectivity and diverse usage patterns, necessitating context-specific approaches.