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Human thermal physiological and psychological responses under different heating environments
Zhaojun Wang1, Haoran Ning1, Yuchen Ji1
1School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
Journal of Thermal Biology
|August 13, 2015
Summary
Floor heating (FH) provides greater thermal comfort than radiant heating (RH), especially for sedentary individuals. Despite higher relative humidity, FH users reported feeling drier, highlighting the importance of ankle temperature for overall comfort.
Area of Science:
- Building Science
- Environmental Psychology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Anecdotal evidence suggests differences in thermal comfort and perceived humidity between floor heating (FH) and radiant heating (RH) systems in cold climates.
- Previous research has not experimentally validated these subjective observations regarding human responses to different heating systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally validate the hypothesis that FH systems provide superior thermal comfort compared to RH systems.
- To investigate the physiological and psychological responses of individuals exposed to simulated FH and RH environments.
- To identify key factors influencing thermal comfort, such as ankle temperature.
Main Methods:
- An experiment was designed to simulate FH and RH heating environments using college student volunteers.
- Objective measurements included indoor air temperature, air speed, relative humidity, globe temperature, and surface temperatures.
- Subjective data were collected through physiological recordings (heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature) and thermal sensation questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Both skin temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure were significantly influenced by the heating environment type.
- Ankle temperature was found to have the greatest impact on overall thermal comfort.
- Floor heating (FH) resulted in higher overall thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability compared to radiant heating (RH).
- Despite higher relative humidity in FH, subjects reported feeling drier than in RH environments.
Conclusions:
- A slightly cool FH condition is recommended as the most pleasurable thermal environment for sedentary subjects, particularly office workers.
- Future environmental design should prioritize thermal comfort of the ankles.
- Implementing FH systems, especially in a cooler setting, can lead to significant heating energy savings and more efficient energy use.
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