Assessment of thermal comfort in the modern lecture theater: Kielce University of Technology, Poland - case study

Abstract

This paper investigates student’s thermal comfort in the intelligent building called “Energis” of Kielce University of Technology located in Poland, which is equipped with advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanical systems. One lecture theater is selected for thermal analysis. Analysis was focused on student’s assessment of thermal sensations in the autumn season to determine whether modern intelligent buildings can provide adequate comfort conditions during the European transitional period, which is between summer and winter seasons, when heating system is usually off. This study is based on survey data and experimental measurements of indoor parameters using a microclimate Testo 400 meter. The experimental data indicate that a relatively large proportion of students are not satisfied with indoor environmental air quality prevailing in the intelligent building. The results of this study indicate that only 10% of students reported weak productivity related to indoor environmental conditions in the building. In addition, 52% of students describe their thermal sensations as comfortable and 17% of students are not satisfied with environmental conditions in the lecture room. Therefore, improvements on existing mechanical systems for indoor air quality is recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended to conduct more experimental trials and surveys to confirm the results presented in this paper in different University buildings.