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Draft:Thermal Comfort and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) -Julia

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1. Introduction

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Thermal comfort influenced by several factors, including:

  • Air temperature
  • Humidity
  • Air velocity
  • Mean radiant temperature
  • Clothing insulation
  • Metabolic rate

Thermal comfort involves maintaining a balance between the heat produced by the human body and the heat lost to the environment[1].

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort. It may also include the functional aspects of space such as whether the layout provides easy access to tools and people when needed and whether there is sufficient space for occupants. Building managers and operators can increase the satisfaction of building occupants by considering all of the aspects of IEQ rather than narrowly focusing on temperature or air quality alone[2].

As ASHRAE guidelines stated [3], since people spend about 80–90% of their time indoors and studies have indicated that a range of comfort and health related effects are linked to characteristics of the building, there has been a growth in interest in both academic and practitioner literature on occupant health and building design. There are studies to suggest that a few symptoms of discomfort from indoor environment lead to significant reduction in work performance of occupants [4]. New building regulations/legislations and green building guidelines have highlighted the past idea of sustainability that often ignored psychological, cultural and sociological dimensions [5]. Human beings have endeavoured to create indoor environments in which they can feel comfortable. Human health is foremost when it comes to assessing the overall comfort of the environment. If for any reason the built environment is leading to sickness or negative impact on occupant health then it is a matter of concern and could point to some design or technical flaw in the building system.

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2. Key Components of Thermal Comfort

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2.1. Key Components of Thermal Comfort

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Thermal comfort is influenced by environmental factors and personal factors.

2.2. Key Components of IEQ[6]

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Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) encompasses several key elements that collectively impact the health, comfort, and productivity of building occupants. Here are the main components:

  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
  1. Pollutants: Includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, carbon dioxide (CO2), and other contaminants.
  2. Ventilation: Proper ventilation helps to dilute and remove indoor pollutants[7].
  • Thermal Comfort
  1. emperature: Maintaining a comfortable temperature range is crucial.
  2. Humidity: Balanced humidity levels prevent discomfort and health issues.
  • Lighting
  1. Natural Light: Access to daylight improves mood and productivity.
  2. Artificial Lighting: Should be designed to minimize glare and mimic natural light.
  • Acoustic Comfort
  1. Noise Levels: Reducing unwanted noise and providing sound insulation enhances concentration and comfort.
  • Ergonomics and Architecture.
  1. Design: Ergonomic furniture and thoughtful architectural design support physical comfort and reduce strain.
  • Access to Nature
  1. Views and Greenery: Incorporating natural elements and views of nature can improve mental well-being.

3. Indoor Environmental Quality & Energy Efficiency

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References

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  1. ^ Almeida, Ricardo M. S. F.; De Freitas, Vasco Peixoto; Delgado, João M. P. Q. (2015). "Indoor Environmental Quality". School Buildings Rehabilitation. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. pp. 5–17. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-15359-9_2. ISBN 978-3-319-15358-2.
  2. ^ "Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool".Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Guideline 10P, Interactions Affecting the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments, Second Public Review".
  4. ^ "United States Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Washington D.C (2000)".
  5. ^ "American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA (2004)".
  6. ^ "Life Indoors Understanding Indoor Environmental Quality" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Indoor Environmental Quality - IEQ Investigation - the 4 P's".