komfortniveau

Komfortniveau, literally "level of comfort" in German and related languages, is a concept used in ergonomics, architecture, and product design to describe perceived ease and well-being in a given environment. It combines physical conditions—temperature, humidity, air quality, lighting, acoustics—with psychological and contextual factors such as activity, clothing, expectations, and cultural norms. Because comfort is highly subjective, Komfortniveau is best seen as a continuum rather than a fixed value, varying by person and context. Factors include temperature and humidity, air movement, noise, lighting, seating ergonomics, and microclimates from clothing and acclimatization. Psychological factors such as perceived safety and control also influence Komfortniveau. Assessment typically combines subjective evaluations, like comfort ratings, with objective measures such as temperature, humidity, air velocity, and sound levels. In professional settings, models such as PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) estimate group comfort, while designers strive to maximize it. Applications include HVAC design, buildings, vehicle cabins, workplaces, and consumer products. Limitations include the subjective, culturally influenced nature of comfort.