thermal behaviour

The thermoneutral zone (TNZ) reflects the range of ambient temperatures where no regulatory changes in metabolic heat production or evaporative heat loss occur. Indications exist that the ambient temperature range wherein a subject is feeling thermal comfortable, i.e. the thermal comfort zone (TCZ), is larger compared to the TNZ. From both the building energy-use and a health perspective this could be highly beneficial. The objective of this study is to explore the TNZ and TCZ of individual subjects, in relation to a given range of ambient temperatures.

This paper is a synthesis of the results from the project INTEWON and related studies. The link between the physiological thermoneutral zone (TNZ) and the thermal comfort zone (TCZ) is discussed. Secondly, we discuss the relation between thermal preference and thermal sensation and how physiological parameters, such as skin temperature can predict thermal sensation. It is shown that the identification of subject categories, based on their thermal preference, increases the predictive value of skin temperatures substantially.

The thermal performance of a building depends on a number of building design parameters. Development of ‘energy efficient building concepts’ therefore requires insight in the here mentioned interrelation. In the recent past many advanced simulation tools