Refrigeration and Air-conditioning

Prof JF Kanyua

Module I (Part C): Influences on Comfort

1) List of influences on comfort

a) Air temperature

b) Air movement

c) Humidity

d) Air quality (duct, chemicals etc)

e) Radiation temperature

f) Noise (sound) type and level

g) Light type and level/intensity

h) Human physiology

i) Age

j) Gender

k) Location on earth

l) Elevation relative to sea level

m)Physical activity

n) Hunger

o) Gluttony

p) Medical condition

q) Apparel (clothing)

r) Etc

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Due to the multitude of the items listed above, it is difficult to define

what a comfortable condition is.

It is accepted that human beings perform at maximum productivity

when operating under comfortable conditions.

It is also accepted that industrial, domestic office etc accidents increase

as the degree of discomfort increases.

Because of the above reasons “comfort” standards are given as ranges

which are acceptable to large numbers of people in different

geographical locations, activities, etc.

2) Influences of Clothing
Clothing aka cloths, apparel, dressing etc refers to items made of fabrics,

textiles, wool, skin items etc which are put on the human body to serve

the following purposes.

 Adornment

 Protection body from sun

 Protect body from wind

 Protect body from cold weather

 Identification if what one is and what he does identification of which

community belongs to.

 Etc

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Clothing plays a big role in determining “comfortable conditions “and

therefore are factored in the calculation of air conditioning loads and

comfort conditions.

3) Environmental Factors
Environmental factors such as:

 Altitude
 Wind
 Rain
 Snow
 Vegetation
 Design of building/houses
 Number of occupants
 Etc

Have an effect on the comfort if the occupants

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