RECOMMENDATION

Based on the data obtained, the recommendation to achieve thermal comfort in buildings must
have certain heat insulation properties. These are:
An efficient shading of windows.
Heat insulation of opaque building elements, with an U-value of less than 0.5 W/(m
K).
A reasonable heat capacity of the building, which is evident for inner building
elements with a floor area specific mass of at least 300 kg/m.
Provide a high-performance thermal envelope to control radiant temperature (hot or
cold surfaces). In large buildings, an efficient curtain wall or other wall system can
eliminate the need for perimeter heating, even in relatively cold climates. In homes,
well-insulated walls and windows can eliminate the need for delivering heating and
cooling to the outside walls.
Provide an airtight building envelope to minimize drafts and unwanted latent heat
gain.
Expose high-mass building elements to even out temperature swings. This strategy,
often coupled with night-flushing of a space to precool the mass, works best in dry
climates when nights are cool and days are hot.
Give occupants some control over their immediate environment. When people have
control, whether it is the ability to open a window, adjust a thermostat, or change the
airflow from a diffuser, they tend to tolerate less than ideal conditions. This
flexibility on the part of the occupants can translate into less energy spent maintaining
a fixed temperature set-point, and, in some cases, smaller mechanical systems.
Occupant control must be carefully integrated with the overall comfort strategy,
however, to avoid situations in which energy is wasted. For example, sometimes
occupants change thermostat settings drastically in a misguided effort to get quick
results. It can also be a problem if users open windows when outside conditions are
not conducive to comfort, and the mechanical system fights to overcome the influx of
outdoor air.
Use air movement to increase comfort. Ceiling fans, desk fans, and outdoor breezes
can all make people comfortable in conditions that would otherwise be too hot, which
can lead to savings in energy used for cooling. Airflow must be managed to avoid
discomfort from too much wind, however, and fans should be turned off to save
energy when not affecting occupants directly.
Use displacement ventilation. Introducing cool air at the floor and exhausting it at the
ceiling removes heat from the ceiling plane rather than mixing it back into the space.
Because lights generate heat and warm air tends to rise, removing this warm air from

high in the space and exhausting it to the outdoors can reduce the amount of cooling
needed.
Capture humidity in ventilation air. Humidity is difficult to control without using a lot
of energy, but, in mechanically ventilated buildings, devices such as enthalpy wheels
can transfer moisture from incoming air to outgoing air (or vice versa), reducing the
need to dehumidify or add moisture and allowing cooling equipment to be downsized.
Exploit the benefits of evaporative cooling. It takes heat to evaporate moisture, so if a
space can tolerate added humidity, direct evaporative cooling is an easy way to
convert hot, dry air into cooler, more humid air. In other situations, indirect
evaporative cooling may be an option.
Encourage seasonally appropriate clothing. With the right corporate culture (or
household culture), occupants can make themselves comfortable in a range of
temperatures by adjusting their clothing. This flexibility can allow higher set-points
during the cooling season, and lower ones during the heating season.
Consider the effect of furniture and furnishings. In office buildings, which tend to

operate primarily in cooling mode, chairs with mesh backs and seats will reduce heat
buildup and keep people comfortable at higher temperatures than those with foam
cushions. Many other aspects of an interior space, even color choices, can affect
peoples perception of warmth or coolness.