1

By-Ashish A. Sakat
 CONTENTS 2
• What is Thermal Comfort ?
• Why do we need to study thermal comfort ?
• How do we apply the knowledge gained
about the topic ?
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WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT ?

WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT ? 4
 WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT ? 5
• It means that a person feels
neither too cold nor too warm.
• Thermal comfort is important
for health and well-being as
well as productivity.
• A lack of thermal comfort
causes stress among building
occupants.
• When they are too warm,
people can feel tired; when too
cold, they will be restless and
distracted.
• Due to its subjectivity, thermal
comfort is different for every
individual.
 WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT ? 6
• Thermal Comfort is maintained
when the heat generated by the
human metabolism is allowed to
dissipate at a rate that maintains
thermal equilibrium in the body.
• Any additional heat gain or loss
beyond this generates
substantial discomfort.
• Essentially, to maintain Thermal
comfort, heat produced must
equal heat lost.

METABOLISM : the chemical reactions in the body's cells that change food into
energy. Our bodies need this energy to do everything from moving to thinking to
growing
 WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT ? 7
• It has been long recognized that the sensation of feeling hot
or cold is dependent on more than just air temperature.
In fact, there are six primary Thermal comfort variables:
• Ambient temperature (air temperature)
• Radiant temperature (the temperature of the surfaces
around us)
• Relative humidity (measurement of the water vapor in an
air -water mixture)
• Air motion (the rate at which air moves around and touches
skin)
• Metabolic rate (amount of energy expended)
• Clothing insulation (materials used to retain or remove body
heat)
• Heat dissipation from Electrical equipments – Printers,
lights, laptops etc.
 WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT ? 8
• Understanding these six variables, is essential to making
informed decisions when planning passive strategies while
designing a building
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Why do we need to study thermal

comfort ?
Why do we need to study Thermal comfort ? 10

Building energy
consumption by
type
Why do we need to study Thermal comfort ? 11
• To make occupants of our buildings comfortable .
• To rely more on renewable sources & reduce energy
demand.
• To implement appropriate solution at a correct time –
Design stage .
• To minimize operational cost of building- fans, heaters
,AC etc.
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How do we apply the knowledge

gained?
 Bio Climatic Chart 13
• A bioclimatic chart is a
preliminary analysis tool
used during the early
planning stages of a
building project.
• Known as bioclimatic
architecture, an architect
uses the bioclimatic chart
to design buildings that
include the most efficient
passive cooling and
heating strategies based
on the climatic
conditions.
 Bio Climatic Chart 14
Text
Bio Climatic Chart 15
Bio Climatic Chart 16
Bio Climatic Chart 17
Bio Climatic Chart 18
 Bio Climatic Chart 19

• Ventilation & Insulation required for Feb,Mar,April,May & June.

• Night temp are cooler during Nov & Dec.
• Dehumidifcation required in Jul,Aug & Sep.
Bio Climatic Chart 20
Bio Climatic Chart 21
How do we apply the knowledge gained? 22
Ambient temperature (air temperature)

• Mutual shading
• Fins
• Chajja
• Eggcrate windows , Brise Soliels
• Orientation of Building
• Vegetation
• Mist sprays
How do we apply the knowledge gained? 23
Radiant temperature (the temperature of the surfaces
around us)
• Appropriate use of material
• Using different wall assembly to reduce/ maximize heat
gain.
• High SRI value paints ( 0 to 1 )
• Using various insulation techniques – air , Glasswool,
Mineral wool,Rockwool , etc.
• Ground cover around building.
How do we apply the knowledge gained? 24
Relative humidity (measurement of the water vapor in an
air -water mixture)
• Adding/removing moisture
• dehumidifers
• Mist sprays
• Evaporative cooling
• PDEC – Passive downdraught Evaporative Cooling
• Active systems – Water Coolers
• Water body around building.
How do we apply the knowledge gained? 25
Air motion (the rate at which air moves around and
touches skin)
• Appropriate ventilation strategies
• Correct orientation of building-as per wind
• Positioning of vents/ windows wrt wind direction ( PLAN)
• Positioning of vents/ windows wrt wind direction
(SECTION)
• Proportions of window size .
• Wing walls around windows.
• Veturi effect
• Channel effect
How do we apply the knowledge gained? 26
Metabolic rate (amount of energy
expended)
• Designing spaces considering
metabolic rates of occupants .
• Eg. More ventilation required
for activity involving higher
metabolic rates- indoor
badminton courts, dance
studios etc.

Clothing insulation (materials

used to retain or remove body
heat)
How do we apply the knowledge gained? 27
Heat dissipation from Electrical equipments – Printers,
lights, laptops etc.
• Choosing fixtures with higher energy star ratings
• Choosing technology that dissipates less heat.
• Design better lit spaces through Daylight.
• Design spaces with better natural ventilation so less
dependency on fans/AC.