Alternative Method to Predict Thermal Sensation Votes in Closed Environments

Abstract

The PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) is an index that intends to predict the thermal sensation of people exposed to the same environment. However, there are discrepancies between the PMV model and the thermal sensation responses collected in field studies. In order to verify this question, this study had as purpose to present an alternative method to predict thermal sensation votes (TSV) by means of multiple regression between the votes of thermal sensation collected in field study, the metabolic rate and the mechanisms of heat exchange. For this study, data collection was performed with a group of women working at the office performing sedentary activities. When people vote for the neutrality (TSV = 0), PMVnew corresponds to 0.1165 (between “neutral” and “slightly warm” in a seven-point scale), thus showing the responses of thermal sensation closer to reality when comparing to the traditional PMV.