A study of adaptive thermal comfort in a well-controlled climate chamber

作者：Yang Yu; Li Baizhan^*; Liu Hong; Tan Meilan; Yao Runming

来源：Applied Thermal Engineering, 2015, 76: 283-291.

DOI：10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.11.004

• Thermal comfort
• Adaptation
• PMV
• Skin temperature
• Hot-humid region
• Air-conditioned environment

This paper aims to critically examine the application of Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) in an air-conditioned environment in the hot-humid climate region. Experimental studies have been conducted in a climate chamber in Chongqing, China, from 2008 to 2010. A total of 440 thermal responses from participants were obtained. Data analysis reveals that the PMV overestimates occupants' mean thermal sensation in the warm environment (PMV > 0) with a mean bias of 0.296 in accordance with the ASHRAE thermal sensation scales. The Bland-Altman method has been applied to assess the agreement of the PMV and Actual Mean Vote (AMV) and reveals a lack of agreement between them. It is identified that habituation due to the past thermal experience of a long-term living in a specific region could stimulate psychological adaptation. The psychological adaptation can neutralize occupants' actual thermal sensation by moderating the thermal sensibility of the skin. A thermal sensation empirical model and a PMV-revised index are introduced for air-conditioned indoor environments in hot-humid regions. As a result of habituation, the upper limit effective thermal comfort temperature SET* can be increased by 1.6 degrees C in a warm season based on the existing international standard. As a result, a great potential for energy saving from the air-conditioning system in summer could be achieved.

• 出版日期2015-2-5
• 单位重庆大学