Experimental study on comparison of indoor and multiple outdoor thermal environments excluding visual and acoustic interference

Abstract

To make holistic assessment of the urban environment, it is important to consider both indoor and outdoor thermal environment. Outdoor thermal parameters play key roles in high quality urban life. This study concentrates on differences between indoor and outdoor thermal comfort excluding visual and acoustic interference. An experiment was carried out in indoor climate chamber and three types of outdoor spaces to explore subjective evaluation and physiological parameters of personnel. Subjects can achieve higher thermal comfort and are less sensitive to the change of thermal parameters outdoors. In a wide range of operative temperature and wind speed in outdoor thermal environment, subjects can be more inclined to stay outdoors. With VR glasses on between 27.5 and 33.5 ℃ under direct sunlight, people feel significantly cooler. In this study, VR glasses and noise-cancelling earphones were used in a pioneering way to exclude the influence of visual and auditory factors and comprehensively compare indoor and outdoor thermal comfort. According to the results, outdoor thermal environment can bring more comfort than indoor air conditioning environment, which highlights the importance of improving outdoor thermal environment. The benefits of comfortable outdoor thermal environments compared with indoor neutral environments can be further explored.