Abstract
The paper presents an assessment of thermal conditions within semi-outdoor spaces used for the activity of studying. It aims to observe the potential of this type of spaces for human activities as a replacement or complementary to air-conditioned indoor spaces in order to reduce the energy consumption. The field work research, consisting of meteorological measurements alongside a questionnaire survey, was conducted in three studying areas at Universiti Sains Malaysia. The results demonstrate that under certain conditions, thermal comfort is achievable in studying semi-outdoor spaces. Further, the significance of objective and subjective factors in shaping users’ thermal comfort perception is discussed.
Highlights
Building sector is witnessing a mechanization increase and rising of energy consumption. In tropical countries such as Malaysia, air-conditioning system becomes the primary consumption for occupants’ thermal comfort. This problem is largely linked to the current approach of comfort that is based on the heat balance model
Few studies have shown that under the adaptive comfort approach, thermal comfort is achievable in semi-outdoor spaces— in the tropical region— if some elements like shading and good air movement are taken into consideration [7, 8]. Based on these previous findings, the current paper aims to further assess thermal comfort in semioutdoors used for a long-term activity usually held indoors, examine the different factors affecting it
Thermal comfort state The highest thermal comfort votes are observed among the occupants of semi-outdoor reading area (L2), followed by the 24-hour reading room (L1) the dining hall (L3). 82.6%, 79.1% and 57.1% of occupants’ votes are within “neutral” to “very comfortable” range, corresponding to (M=0.70, SD=1.29), (M=0.63, SD=1.32) and (M=-0.32, SD=1.12) in L2, L1 and L3 respectively
Summary
Building sector is witnessing a mechanization increase and rising of energy consumption. In tropical countries such as Malaysia, air-conditioning system becomes the primary consumption for occupants’ thermal comfort. This problem is largely linked to the current approach of comfort that is based on the heat balance model. As a result of adopting this model, thermal comfort is specified within a narrow range, which is usually difficult to achieve without air-conditioning. It promotes unsustainable extensive use of these systems. Four factors are environmental (air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity and relative humidity) and two are personal (metabolic rate and clothing insulation) [2]
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