ASHRAE Standard 55-1992, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, is mainly a prescriptive standard intended for occupants with primarily sedentary activity. This article discusses some of the issues being addressed during the proposed revision. The proposed revision will include an analytical method based on the PMVPPD method, where different levels of comfort may be specified. Using the analytical method requires better dialog between the client (builder, owner) and the designer. 

Field studies demonstrate that there are substantial numbers of dissatisfied people in many buildings, among them those suffering from sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms, even though existing standards and guidelines are met. The reason is that the requirements specified in these standards are rather low, allowing a substantial group of people to become dissatisfied and to be adversely affected. A paradigm shift from rather mediocre to excellent indoor environments is foreseen in the 21st century.

In Sweden, the activity on building new residences has been decreased for a number of years. The building stock as an average has therefore become older and in the future it will be subject for refurbishment. This paper deals with how to optimise retrofit measures, i.e. how to act in order to minimise the Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) of a building. Insulation measures are emphasised but also other retrofits are dealt with such as changing the heating system. It is shown that the heating system has a vital influence on the optimal amount of extra insulation which is to be applied.