THERMAL

COMFORT

SUBMITTED BY:
PRANITA SANJAY
CHAVAN
WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT?

Thermal comfort describes the human satisfactory perception of the

thermal environment. It refers to a number of conditions in which
the majority of people feel comfortable. Thermal comfort is rated
amongst the most important conditions for improving comfort and
satisfaction of occupants with their indoor environment, based on a
review of various studies
BIOCLIMATIC CHART
A bioclimatic chart is a preliminary analysis tool used during the early planning
stages of a building project. In the process 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 climate and location of a building
site, according to the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving.

ACCUMULATING CHART DATA

In order to create a bioclimatic chart, monthly statistical data is collected. The chart is
used to plot the average maximum and minimum temperature and the average
maximum and minimum relative humidity. The think.green website recommends
using a meteorology website to collect the information. You can also obtain the
information from weather reports kept by local airports.
PLOTTING THE CHART
To create a bioclimatic chart two points are plotted for each month. The first plot point is used to indicate the
minimum temperature and maximum relative humidity, also known as RH. The second plot point is used to
indicate maximum temperature along with the minimum RH. The two points are connected with a line. Each
line on the bioclimatic chart represents an average day's changes in temperature and humidity. To be
effective, the chart is developed over a one-year period.
STRATEGIES
A completed bioclimatic chart will indicate the boundaries for different types of passive design
strategies. Passive solar heating can be assessed using the chart as well as passive cooling strategies.
Additionally, the chart can indicate a comfort zone where no cooling or heating is required to
maintain thermal comfort. An architect will then use the chart to start planning the type of project
best suited for a particular climatic location. Doing so creates energy-efficient bioclimatic buildings
that enhance the quality of life for its users.
BENEFITS
The building sector accounts for nearly 40 percent of national final energy consumption, according to
the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving. This type of energy consumption, using
mostly oil as well as electricity, causes the major atmospheric pollution responsible for the
greenhouse effect and climatic change. Energy consumption is also a major economic burden. Using
a bioclimatic chart helps an architect use simple building techniques and methods that reduce energy
consumption, such as incorporating a passive solar heating system, natural cooling systems and
techniques, as well as natural lighting systems and techniques.
 TYPES OF VENTILATION
A solar chimney is a type of passive solar heating and cooling
system that can be used to regulate the temperature of a building as
well as providing ventilation. Like a Trombe wall or solar wall, solar
chimneys are a way to achieve energy efficient building design.
Essentially, solar chimneys are hollow containers that connect the
inside part of the building to the outside part of the building.

Curved roofs and air vents are used in combination for

passive cooling of air in Hot and Dry climates, where the
dusty winds make wind towers impracticable. Suited for
single units also works well in Hot and Humid climate. A
hole in apex of Domed or Cylinderical roofs with protective
cap over the vent directs the wind across it. The opening at
the top provides the ventilation and provide the escape path
 COOLING TOWERS
In a wind tower, the hot ambient air enters the tower through the
opening in the tower. The inlet and outlet of room induce cool air
movement. When an inlet is provided to the rooms with an outlet
on other sides, there is a draft of cool air. It resembles a chimney,
with in end on the basement or lower floor and other on the roof,
The top part is divided into several vertical air spaces ending in
the openings in sides of the tower. In the presence of wind air is
cooled more effectively and flows faster down in the tower and
into the living area. The system works effectively in hot and dry
climate where diurnal variations are high
 TROMBE
WALLS
A thermally massive wall with good solar absorption characteristics (perhaps with a
matt, dark-coloured surface) is orientated facing towards the direction of the sun. The 
wall is constructed behind a glazed façade that protects it from external conditions.
There is generally a spacebetween the glazing and the wall. This space can be very
narrow, just sufficient to allow air movement between the glazing and the wall and to
provide access for cleaning, or it can be large enough to be habitable.

Solar radiation that penetrates through the glazing will heat up the wall,

but the resulting emission of long-wave infrared radiation from the wall
 will not re-transmit back through the glazing which is opaque to long-
wave infrared radiation. This creates an effect similar to that which allows
greenhouses to trap solar radiation
RATE OF VENTILATION
Ventilation rate:  The amount of air inhaled in a specified time period (e.g.,
per minute, per hour, per day, etc.); also called breathing rate and inhalation
rate.
Measuring the ventilation rate:
 The volume of the room in cubic feet: In plain English, we're
changing CFM into Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH). Then we calculate the
volume of the room by multiplying the room height times the width times the
length. Then we simply divide the CFH by the volume of the room.