TY - JOUR
T1 - Influence of environmental variables on thermal comfort and air quality perception in office buildings in the humid subtropical climate zone of Brazil
AU - de Oliveira, Candi Citadini
AU - Forgiarini Rupp, Ricardo
AU - Ghisi, Enedir
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - This study evaluates the influence of environmental variables on users’ thermal comfort and air quality perception in the humid subtropical climate of Florianópolis, southern Brazil. A building with central airconditioning system and three mixed-mode buildings, which alternated between natural ventilation and air-conditioning modes, were investigated. Statistical analyses were performed considering environmental data collected in situ between 2014 and 2016 – using microclimate stations, a portable thermoanemometer and a CO2 analyser – and users’ subjective responses obtained by means of an electronic questionnaire. Results showed a direct influence of air temperature and humidity ratio and indirect influence of air movement on thermal comfort. In addition, thermal, air movement and humidity sensation, preference and acceptability affected thermal comfort and air quality perception, highlighting the importance of carrying out a complete assessment of users’ perception of the thermal environment. This work supports the use of the ASHRAE 55 adaptive thermal comfort model for mixed-mode buildings under natural ventilation operation. Based on the results obtained in this study, the use of hybrid ventilation strategy is recommended for energy savings due to reducing the use of air-conditioning and improving indoor air quality as there is a decrease in air pollutants level.
AB - This study evaluates the influence of environmental variables on users’ thermal comfort and air quality perception in the humid subtropical climate of Florianópolis, southern Brazil. A building with central airconditioning system and three mixed-mode buildings, which alternated between natural ventilation and air-conditioning modes, were investigated. Statistical analyses were performed considering environmental data collected in situ between 2014 and 2016 – using microclimate stations, a portable thermoanemometer and a CO2 analyser – and users’ subjective responses obtained by means of an electronic questionnaire. Results showed a direct influence of air temperature and humidity ratio and indirect influence of air movement on thermal comfort. In addition, thermal, air movement and humidity sensation, preference and acceptability affected thermal comfort and air quality perception, highlighting the importance of carrying out a complete assessment of users’ perception of the thermal environment. This work supports the use of the ASHRAE 55 adaptive thermal comfort model for mixed-mode buildings under natural ventilation operation. Based on the results obtained in this study, the use of hybrid ventilation strategy is recommended for energy savings due to reducing the use of air-conditioning and improving indoor air quality as there is a decrease in air pollutants level.
KW - Air temperature
KW - Air movement
KW - Humidity ratio
KW - Carbon dioxide (CO2)
KW - Mixed-mode buildings
U2 - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110982
DO - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110982
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0378-7788
VL - 243
JO - Energy and Buildings
JF - Energy and Buildings
M1 - 110982
ER -