ARCH 215: Lecture 7

What are 6 key factors for Thermal Comfort

1. Air Temp

2. Relative Humidity

3. Air Speed

4. Occupant Metabolic Rate

5. Occupant Clothing Level

6. Mean Radiant Temperature

Define Thermal Neutrality

Neutrality is the absence of sensation - this is what most modern HVAC systems are aiming for.

What are five key paradigm shift approaches

1. From centralized to personal control

2. From still to breezy movement

3. From thermal neutrality to delight

4. From Active to Passive Design

5. From Disengagement to improved feedback

Define Thermoregulation

An organisms ability to maintain a body temperature - despite changes in the environmental temperature.

Name six methods that the human body uses to heat itself

1. Convection

2. Conduction

3. Radiation

4. Shivering

5. Metabolism

6. Activity

Name 4 Methods the the Human Body uses to Cool Itself

1. Evaporative Cooling

2. Radiation

3. Convection

4. Conductive

What are the four Physiological Control mechanisms

1. Blood Flow

2. Perspiration

3. Shivering

4. Goosebumps

What is it called when Physiological Control Mechanisms fail?

Hypo/hyperthermia

At what temperature does the body begin to sweat

37 degrees Celsius

Describe the effectivity relationship between dry heat loss and versus evaporative cooling as the environment temperature increases

Before 80 degrees efficiency is almost entirely dominated by dry heat loss, though after the efficiency completely declines then depletes meaning that evaporative cooling is key,

Define Mean Radiant Temperature

Area weighted mean temperature of all surfaces surrounding the body. If you sit on a table that is cold you will be more cold.

What is a Thermal Model

A technical model used to evaluate what/when people are thermally comfortable. Example the the California Code Energy Comfort Model (here 68 is the assumed comfort)

What is the difference between a Static and “Adaptive” Comfort Model

Static - Perceived comfort temperature stays the same the entire year.

Adaptive - Because context changes perception an adaptive model adjusts the comfortable season over the year.

Outdoor Thermal Comfort

People still have visceral reactions to outdoor temperature - we have to more closely consider how we are cooling outdoor urban zones.

What is a temperature set point?

A setpoint is a temperature that defines weather needs heating or cooling (this range is often very small 68 - 72).

Define Thermal Autonomy

The percent of occupied time over a year where a thermal zone meets or exceeds a given set of thermal acceptability criteria through passive means only. Posits that buildings be unregulated and naturally ventilated.

Define Personal Control

The idea of taking personal features to control your own temperature - fan, heated office chair.