Thermal discomfort; Early-stage design; post-occupancy evaluation; Adaptive model; PMV/PPD model
Abstract :
[en] Thermal discomfort over time can lead to unproductivity and health issues for the occupants. Like operative temperature, humidity is an important parameter that affects thermal comfort and occupant health. This paper analyzed how humidity was incorporated into spatial and person alized thermal comfort assessments and models. In addition, the paper studied different indoor thermal comfort indices in terms of index type and time temporality. The study found that most standards and guidelines recommended a fixed upper and lower threshold for humidity for spatial assessment. For personalized assessments, the humidity was indirectly coupled through evaporative heat losses in most physiological and psychological models. In addition, transient processes like metabolic activities that changed in warm temperatures and humidities also influenced human comfort perception. The existing indoor thermal comfort indices used a point-in-time approach in terms of time temporality. Based on these findings, this paper suggested a spatial assessment for early-stage building design and a personalized assessment for the post-occupancy stage. In addition, this paper recommended a time-integrated and multizonal hygrothermal discomfort indicator that should incorporate both operative temperature and relative humidity in the future. Finally, the paper provides a set of suggestions and aspirations for practice and research based on the study findings.
Research center :
Sustainable Building Design Lab
Disciplines :
Civil engineering
Author, co-author :
Amaripadath, Deepak ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering
Rahif, Ramin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering
Velickovic, Mirjana
Attia, Shady ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Techniques de construction des bâtiments
Language :
English
Title :
A systematic review on role of humidity as an indoor thermal comfort parameter in humid climates
ANSI/ASHRAE. ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. 2020, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Frontczak, M., Wargocki, P., Literature survey on how different factors influence human comfort in indoor environments. Build. Environ. 46:4 (Apr. 2011), 922–937, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.10.021.
Klepeis, N.E., et al. The national human activity pattern survey (NHAPS): a resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol. 11:3 (Jul. 2001), 231–252, 10.1038/sj.jea.7500165.
Fanger, P.O., Thermal Comfort. Analysis and Applications in Environmental Engineering. 1970, Danish Technical Press, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Carlucci, S., Bai, L., de Dear, R., Yang, L., Review of adaptive thermal comfort models in built environmental regulatory documents. Build. Environ. 137 (Jun. 2018), 73–89, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.03.053.
Nicol, J.F., Humphreys, M.A., Thermal comfort as part of a self-regulating system. Build. Res. Pract. 1:3 (Jan. 1973), 174–179, 10.1080/09613217308550237.
Taleghani, M., Tenpierik, M., Kurvers, S., van den Dobbelsteen, A., A review into thermal comfort in buildings. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 26 (Oct. 2013), 201–215, 10.1016/j.rser.2013.05.050.
Vellei, M., Herrera, M., Fosas, D., Natarajan, S., The influence of relative humidity on adaptive thermal comfort. Build. Environ. 124 (Nov. 2017), 171–185, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.08.005.
Toe, D.H.C., Kubota, T., Development of an adaptive thermal comfort equation for naturally ventilated buildings in hot-humid climates using ASHRAE RP-884 database. Front. Archit. Res. 2:3 (Sep. 2013), 278–291, 10.1016/j.foar.2013.06.003.
Givoni, B., Khedari, J., Wong, N.H., Feriadi, H., Noguchi, M., Thermal sensation responses in hot, humid climates: effects of humidity. Build. Res. Inf. 34:5 (Sep. 2006), 496–506, 10.1080/09613210600861269.
Nguyen, A.T., Singh, M.K., Reiter, S., An adaptive thermal comfort model for hot humid South-East Asia. Build. Environ. 56 (Oct. 2012), 291–300, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.03.021.
Persiani, S.G.L., Kobas, B., Koth, S.C., Auer, T., Biometric data as real-time measure of physiological reactions to environmental stimuli in the built environment. Energies, 14(1), 2021, 10.3390/en14010232.
Mansi, S.A., et al. Measuring human physiological indices for thermal comfort assessment through wearable devices: a review. Measurement, 183, Oct. 2021, 109872, 10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109872.
COHSR. Thermal stress in the work place. Canada occupational health and safety regulations, employment and social development. Canada. [online]. Available: www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/reports/thermal-stress-work-place.html. (Accessed 10 April 2022)
ACGIH. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents: Heat Stress. 2001, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Hanna, E.G., Tait, P.W., Limitations to thermoregulation and acclimatization challenge human adaptation to global warming. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 12:7 (Jul. 2015), 8034–8074, 10.3390/ijerph120708034.
Attia, S., et al. Resilient cooling of buildings to protect against heat waves and power outages: key concepts and definition. Energy Build., 239, May 2021, 110869, 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110869.
Smedegård, O.Ø., Aas, B., Stene, J., Georges, L., Carlucci, S., Systematic and data-driven literature review of the energy and indoor environmental performance of swimming facilities. Energy Effic., 14(7), Sep. 2021, 74, 10.1007/s12053-021-09985-6.
Indraganti, M., Using the adaptive model of thermal comfort for obtaining indoor neutral temperature: findings from a field study in Hyderabad. Build. Environ. 45:3 (Mar. 2010), 519–536, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2009.07.006 India.
Berglund, L.G., Comfort and humidity. ASHRAE J. 40:8 (1998), 35–41.
Gagge, A.P., Stolwijk, J.A.J., Nishi, Y., An Effective Temperature Scale Based on a Simple Model of Human Physiological Regulatory Response. 1971 [online]. Available: hdl.handle.net/2115/3790.
Berglund, L.G., Cunningham, D.J., Parameters of human discomfort in warm environments. Build. Eng., 92(2B), Jan. 1986 [Online]. Available: www.osti.gov/biblio/6457890.
CEN. EN 16798: Energy Performance of Buildings - Ventilation for Buildings - Indoor Environmental Input Parameters for Design and Assessment of Energy Performance of Buildings Addressing Indoor Air Quality, Thermal Environment, Lighting and Acoustics. 2019, European Committee for Standardization, Brussels, Belgium.
ISO. ISO 7730: Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment - Analytical Determination and Interpretation of Thermal Comfort Using Calculation of the PMV and PPD Indices and Local Thermal Comfort Criteria. 2004, International Standards Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
CIBSE. CIBSE Guide A: Environmental Design. 2015, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, London, UK.
BIS. NBC: National Building Code of India -, 2, 2016, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
SS. SS 554: Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality for Air-Conditioned Buildings. 2016, Singapore Standards, Singapore.
ABNT. NBR 16401-3: Instalações de arcondicionado - Sistemas centrais e unitários - Parte 3: qualidade do ar interior. 2008, Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas: Sao Paulo, Brazil.
BSN. SNI 6390: Konservasi Energi Sistem Tata Udara Bangunan Gedung. 2011, Badan Standardisasi Nasional: Kebon Sirih, Indonesia.
MS. MS 1525: Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy for Non-residential Buildings - Code of Practice. 2014, Cyberjaya, Standards Malaysia Malaysia.
MOHURD. GB/T 50785: Evaluation Standard for Indoor Thermal Environment in Civil Buildings. 2012, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Beijing, China.
MHLW. Law for Environmental Health in Buildings. 1970, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.
PERENE. PERENE Réunion: Règles de conception thermique et énergétique des bâtiments tertiaires et résidentiels adaptées aux zones climatiques de l'ile de la Réunion. PERformances ENErgétiques des bâtiments à La Réunion. 2009, Réunion, France.
ANSI/ASHRAE. ASHRAE Standard 169: Climatic Data for Building Design Standards. 2013, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, USA.
ANSI/ASHRAE. ASHRAE Handbook: HVAC Applications. 2013, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, USA.
OH&S. Offices: Temperature and Humidity - what Are the 'rules'?. 2018, Occupational Health and Safety, Carlton South, Australia.
Safework, Safework NSW: Maintaining Thermal Comfort in Indoor Work Environments. Safework NSW: Lisarow, NSW, Australia.
Rahif, R., Amaripadath, D., Attia, S., Review on time-integrated overheating evaluation methods for residential buildings in temperate climates of Europe. Energy Build., 252, Dec. 2021, 111463, 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111463.
Carlucci, S., Pagliano, L., A review of indices for the long-term evaluation of the general thermal comfort conditions in buildings. Energy Build. 53 (Oct. 2012), 194–205, 10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.06.015.
Indraganti, M., Ooka, R., Rijal, H.B., Brager, G.S., Adaptive model of thermal comfort for offices in hot and humid climates of India. Build. Environ. 74 (Apr. 2014), 39–53, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.01.002.
Damiati, S.A., Zaki, S.A., Rijal, H.B., Wonorahardjo, S., Field study on adaptive thermal comfort in office buildings in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan during hot and humid season. Build. Environ. 109 (Nov. 2016), 208–223, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.09.024.
d'Ambrosio Alfano, F.R., Palella, B.I., Riccio, G., Thermal environment assessment reliability using temperature - humidity indices. Ind. Health 49:1 (2011), 95–106, 10.2486/indhealth.MS1097.
Mba, L., Meukam, P., Kemajou, A., Application of artificial neural network for predicting hourly indoor air temperature and relative humidity in modern building in humid region. Energy Build. 121 (Jun. 2016), 32–42, 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.03.046.
Tablada, A., De Troyer, F., Blocken, B., Carmeliet, J., Verschure, H., On natural ventilation and thermal comfort in compact urban environments - the Old Havana case. Build. Environ. 44:9 (Sep. 2009), 1943–1958, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2009.01.008.
Djamila, H., Chu, C.M., Kumaresan, S., Field study of thermal comfort in residential buildings in the equatorial hot-humid climate of Malaysia. Build. Environ. 62 (Apr. 2013), 133–142, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.01.017.
Teodosiu, C., Hohota, R., Rusaouën, G., Woloszyn, M., Numerical prediction of indoor air humidity and its effect on indoor environment. Build. Environ. 38:5 (May 2003), 655–664, 10.1016/S0360-1323(02)00211-1.
Wijewardane, S., Jayasinghe, M.T.R., Thermal comfort temperature range for factory workers in warm humid tropical climates. Renew. Energy 33:9 (Sep. 2008), 2057–2063, 10.1016/j.renene.2007.11.009.
Nematchoua, M.K., Tchinda, R., Ricciardi, P., Djongyang, N., A field study on thermal comfort in naturally-ventilated buildings located in the equatorial climatic region of Cameroon. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 39 (Nov. 2014), 381–393, 10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.010.
Singh, M.K., Mahapatra, S., Teller, J., Development of thermal comfort models for various climatic zones of North-East India. Sustain. Cities Soc. 14 (Feb. 2015), 133–145, 10.1016/j.scs.2014.08.011.
Nematchoua, M.K., Ricciardi, P., Reiter, S., Asadi, S., Demers, C.M., Thermal comfort and comparison of some parameters coming from hospitals and shopping centers under natural ventilation: the case of Madagascar Island. J. Build. Eng. 13 (Sep. 2017), 196–206, 10.1016/j.jobe.2017.07.014.
Nematchoua, M.K., Ricciardi, P., Buratti, C., Statistical analysis of indoor parameters and subjective responses of building occupants in a hot region of Indian ocean; A case of Madagascar island. Appl. Energy 208 (Dec. 2017), 1562–1575, 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.207.
Lenoir, A., Baird, G., Garde, F., Post-occupancy evaluation and experimental feedback of a net zero-energy building in a tropical climate. Architect. Sci. Rev. 55:3 (Aug. 2012), 156–168, 10.1080/00038628.2012.702449.
Buonocore, C., De Vecchi, R., Scalco, V., Lamberts, R., Influence of relative air humidity and movement on human thermal perception in classrooms in a hot and humid climate. Build. Environ. 146 (Dec. 2018), 98–106, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.09.036.
Gamero-Salinas, J.C., Monge-Barrio, A., Sánchez-Ostiz, A., Overheating risk assessment of different dwellings during the hottest season of a warm tropical climate. Build. Environ., 171, Mar. 2020, 106664, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106664.
Pan, J., et al. Correlating indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity in a sample of buildings in tropical climates. Indoor Air 31:6 (2021), 2281–2295, Nov, 10.1111/ina.12876.
Nedel, A.S., et al. Analysis of indoor human thermal comfort in Pelotas municipality, extreme southern Brazil. Int. J. Biometeorol. 65:3 (Mar. 2021), 419–428, 10.1007/s00484-020-02015-7.
Payet, M., David, M., Gandemer, J., Garde, F., Performance evaluation and post-occupancy evaluation of a naturally ventilated lecture theatre in Reunion Island. J. Phys. Conf., 1343, Nov. 2019, 10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012189 012189.
Camlab. RM100 room climate monitor for temperature, humidity and Carbon Dioxide. ebro. [online]. Available: www.camlab.co.uk/rm100-room-climate-monitor-for-temperature-humidity-and-carbon-dioxide. (Accessed 21 January 2022)
Jing, S., Li, B., Tan, M., Liu, H., Impact of relative humidity on thermal comfort in a warm environment. Indoor Built Environ. 22:4 (Aug. 2013), 598–607, 10.1177/1420326X12447614.
Tanabe, S., Kimura, K., Hara, T., Thermal comfort requirements during the summer season in Japan. Build. Eng. 93:1 (1987), 564–577.
Nevins, R.G., Gonzalez, R.R., Nishi, Y., Gagge, A.P., Effect of changes in ambient temperature and level of humidity on comfort and thermal sensations. Build. Eng. 81:2 (1975), 1–14.
Tsutsumi, H., Tanabe, S., Harigaya, J., Iguchi, Y., Nakamura, G., Effect of humidity on human comfort and productivity after step changes from warm and humid environment. Build. Environ. 42:12 (Dec. 2007), 4034–4042, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.06.037.
Jones, B.W., Ogawa, Y., Transient interaction between the human and the thermal environment. Build. Eng. 98:1 (1992), 189–195 [Online]. Available: www.aivc.org/sites/default/files/airbase_5637.pdf.
Jones, B.W., Transient Model of the Human Body and Clothing Systems., 1991, Institute for Environmental Research, Kansas State University, KS, USA Technical Report 91-01.
Stolwijk, J.A.J., et al. Mathematical Model of Thermoregulation, Physiological and Behavioral Temperature Regulation. 1970, Charles C Thomas, Springfield: IL, USA, 703–721.
Stolwijk, J.A.J., A Mathematical Model of Physiological Temperature Regulation in Man, NASA Contractor Report., 1971, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington DC, USA NASA CR-1855.
Tanabe, S., Tsuzuki, T., Kimura, K., Horikawa, S., Numerical simulation model of thermal regulation of man with 16 body parts of evaluating thermal environment: Part 1 heat transfer at skin surface and comparison with SET* and Stolwijk model. Summaries of Technical Papers of Annual Meeting, 1995, Architectural Institute of Japan.
Huizenga, C., Hui, Z., Arens, E., A model of human physiology and comfort for assessing complex thermal environments. Build. Environ. 36:6 (2001), 691–699, 10.1016/S0360-1323(00)00061-5.
Kohri, I., Mochida, T., Evaluation Method of thermal comfort in a vehicle with a dispersed two-node model part 1 - development of dispersed two-node model. J. Hum. Environ. Syst. 6:1 (2002), 19–29, 10.1618/jhes.6.19.
Kohri, I., Mochida, T., Evaluation method of thermal comfort in a vehicle with a dispersed two-node model part 2 - development of new evaluation. J. Hum. Environ. Syst. 6:2 (2003), 77–91, 10.1618/jhes.6.77.
Nilsson, H., Holmér, I., Comfort climate evaluation with thermal manikin methods and computer simulation models. Indoor Air 13 (Apr. 2003), 28–37, 10.1034/j.1600-0668.2003.01113.x.
Fiala, D., Lomas, K., Stohrer, M., First principles modeling of thermal sensation responses in steady-state and transient conditions. Build. Eng. 109 (Jan. 2003), 179–186.
Fiala, D., Dynamic Simulation of Human Heat Transfer and Thermal Comfort., 1998, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK Ph.D. dissertation.
Wang, X.L., Thermal Comfort and Sensation under Transient Conditions. 1994, Ph.D. dissertation, Department of energy technology, Division of heating and ventilation, The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Arens, E., Zhang, H., Huizenga, C., Partial- and whole-body thermal sensation and comfort - Part I: uniform environmental conditions. J. Therm. Biol. 31:1 (Jan. 2006), 53–59, 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2005.11.028.
Arens, E., Zhang, H., Huizenga, C., Partial- and whole-body thermal sensation and comfort - Part II: non-uniform environmental conditions. J. Therm. Biol. 31:1 (Jan. 2006), 60–66, 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2005.11.027.
AMS Glossary of Meteorology, Relative Humidity, 2012, American Meteorological Society [online]. Available: www.glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Relative_humidity. (Accessed 7 December 2021)
AMS Glossary of Meteorology, Vapor Density, 2012, American Meteorological Society [online]. Available: www.glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Vapor_density. (Accessed 7 December 2021)
AMS Glossary of Meteorology, Specific Humidity, 2012, American Meteorological Society [online]. Available: www.glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Specific_humidity. (Accessed 7 December 2021)
Gagge, A.P., An Effective Temperature scale based on a simple model of human physiological regulatory response. Build. Eng. 77 (May 1971), 247–262.
Glickman, N., Inouye, T., Keeton, R.W., Fahnestock, M., Physiologic examination of the effective temperature index. Heating/Piping/Air Cond., 22, 1950.
Rana, R., Kusy, B., Jurdak, R., Wall, J., Hu, W., Feasibility analysis of using humidex as an indoor thermal comfort predictor. Energy Build. 64 (Sep. 2013), 17–25, 10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.04.019.
CCOHS. Humidex rating and work. Canadian centre for occupational health and safety. Canada, 2021 www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/humidex.html.
CCOHS. Hot Environments - Control Measures. 2021, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Canada [online]. Available: www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/heat_cont rol.html.
Auliciems, A., Szokolay, S., Thermal Comfort. second ed., 2007, passive and low Energy Architecture International, Chapell Hill, Australia.
Hamdy, M., Carlucci, S., Hoes, P.J., Hensen, J.L.M., The impact of climate change on the overheating risk in dwellings - a Dutch case study. Build. Environ. 122 (Sep. 2017), 307–323, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.06.031.
Rahif, R., Hamdy, M., Homaei, S., Zhang, C., Holzer, P., Attia, S., Simulation-based framework to evaluate resistivity of cooling strategies in buildings against overheating impact of climate change. Build. Environ., 208, Jan. 2022, 108599, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108599.
Amaripadath, D., Velickovic, M., Attia, S., Performance evaluation of a nearly zero-energy office building in temperate oceanic climate based on field measurements. Energies, 15(18), Sep. 2022, 6755, 10.3390/en15186755.
Rijal, H.B., Humphreys, M., Nicol, F., Adaptive thermal comfort in Japanese houses during the summer season: behavioral adaptation and the effect of humidity. Buildings, 5(3), 2015, 10.3390/buildings5031037.
Rahif, R., et al. Impact of climate change on nearly zero-energy dwelling in temperate climate: time-integrated discomfort, HVAC energy performance, and GHG emissions. Build. Environ., 223, Sep. 2022, 109397, 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109397.
Wolkoff, P., Indoor air humidity, air quality, and health - an overview. Int. J. Hyg Environ. Health 221:3 (Apr. 2018), 376–390, 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.01.015.
Arundel, A.V., Sterling, E.M., Biggin, J.H., Sterling, T.D., Indirect health effects of relative humidity in indoor environments. Environ. Health Perspect. 65 (Mar. 1986), 351–361, 10.1289/ehp.8665351.
Kakitsuba, N., Current knowledge on the effects of humidity on physiological and psychological responses. J. Hum. Environ. Syst. 20:1 (2018), 1–10, 10.1618/jhes.20.1.
Basu, R., Samet, J.M., Relation between elevated ambient temperature and mortality: a review of the epidemiologic evidence. Epidemiol. Rev. 24:2 (Dec. 2002), 190–202, 10.1093/epirev/mxf007.
Hughes, C., Natarajan, S., Summer thermal comfort and overheating in the elderly. Build. Serv. Eng. Technol. 40:4 (Jul. 2019), 426–445, 10.1177/0143624419844518.
