Examination of the Thermal Neutrality for Residents of a Warm-Humid Urban Environment

Adewale Oluseyi Adunola

doi:10.5296/emsd.v5i2.9760

Abstract

<p class="emsd-body"><span lang="EN-GB">The paper examined the applicability of thermal neutrality equations to the thermal responses of residents in a field study within a tropical warm-humid urban environment in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 528 houses were selected for the survey using systematic random sampling within twelve neighborhoods selected by stratified random sampling in the metropolis. For each selected building, an adult resident filled a questionnaire indicating the adaptive thermal response at different periods of the day using the ASHRAE thermal comfort scale. Measurement of indoor and outdoor air temperature and other thermal comfort parameters was done in representative buildings in the neighborhoods. It was found that the residents’ thermal neutrality was higher than values predicted by applied thermal neutrality equations inferring opportunities for sustainable comfort. It was concluded that there is essentially a climatic and contextual basis for the application of thermal neutrality equations.</span></p>

Highlights

The high levels of air temperature in tropical climates affect the indoor comfort of urban residents
The paper examined the applicability of thermal neutrality equations to the thermal responses of residents in a field study within a tropical warm-humid urban environment in Ibadan, Nigeria
The pattern of variation of the Mean Comfort Votes of the adaptive thermal responses with indoor and outdoor air temperatures were of interest in this study

Summary

Introduction

The high levels of air temperature in tropical climates affect the indoor comfort of urban residents. City microclimate and indoor comfort are of concern due to the high rate of urbanization and the attendant growth in urban population and urban housing demand. Thermal Comfort is generally defined as that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment (ISO1984). It is a state of well-being with respect to temperature depending on achieving a balance between the heat being produced by the body and the loss of heat to the surroundings. There is a particular neutrality temperature that is relevant to a specific comfort situation.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion