Thermal Comfort Analysis in the Smart Sustainable Building with Correlation Development

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the experimental study of thermal comfort in the smart building of Kielce University of Technology (Poland). The experiments were conducted throughout four seasons of the year and focused on developing a modified thermal comfort correlation that could determine the thermal sensations of room users more accurately than the standard methodology. Twelve groups of volunteers participated in the study, and thermal sensations were analysed for both genders separately. Even though the thermal environment was not considered overwhelmingly favourable (with 75% of men and 60% of women providing positive assessment), thermal acceptability was high. It amounted to 90% (the same for both genders). The air temperature of 22°C proved to be most preferable. The BMI index and CO2 concentration were found to influence thermal sensations and were incorporated into a modified correlation, which provided more accurate results than the original Fanger model of thermal comfort.