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Evaluation of thermal comfort discrepancies and occupant behavior adaptations in housing of Tehran
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Iman Sheikhansari   , Farshad Nasrollahi * |
| department of architecture, faculty of architecture and urban planning, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran , f.nasrollahi@aui.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (512 Views) |
Objective: This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of thermal comfort models in mid-rise residential apartments in Tehran, focusing on the discrepancies between theoretical standards and the actual comfort experienced by occupants. Tehran's variable climate and suboptimal construction quality present unique challenges in achieving thermal comfort, making it crucial to develop context-specific approaches. The study examines the limitations of the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index, a key component of national standards in Iran, which often fails to account for occupant behavior, local environmental factors, and adaptive strategies. The goal is to identify gaps in these models and inform the development of more responsive thermal comfort guidelines, appropriate to the climate and cultural context of Tehran.
Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Environmental measurements, including air temperature, humidity, air velocity, and mean radiant temperature (MRT), were taken across seasons in 35 residential units. Qualitative data were collected through surveys of 112 residents (60 females, 52 males) to understand their perceptions of thermal comfort and adaptive behaviors. Statistical power for the survey was set at 0.95, with surveys exploring residents' responses to different indoor conditions and their use of heating, cooling, and window management strategies.
Results: The study found that the PMV index accurately predicted thermal comfort only 17% of the time, highlighting its limitations in Tehran conditions. Discrepancies between PMV and dry bulb temperatures were particularly pronounced in summer, resulting in significant discomfort Residents preferred neutral temperatures of 20.55°C in summer and 23.86°C in winter, which differed from PMV predictions. Poor insulation, inadequate windows, and inappropriate building materials were identified as major contributors to thermal discomfort.
Conclusions: The results highlight the inadequacy of static models such as PMV in the residential context of Tehran. Adaptive thermal comfort standards that incorporate environmental and behavioral factors are needed to reflect local climates and occupant behavior. This approach would promote passive design strategies, reduce energy consumption, and improve occupant comfort, thereby promoting sustainable residential environments. |
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| Keywords: Thermal Comfort, Residential Apartments, Indoor Environment, Occupant Behavior, Tehran |
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Full-Text [PDF 1815 kb]
(116 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
معماری
Received: 2024/09/16 | Accepted: 2024/12/18 | Published: 2024/12/18
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