THERMAL COMFORT

Heat Transfer

Pervin ABOHORLU DOĞRAMACI, PhD., M. Arch.

Cyprus International University

Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture
Department of Interior Architecture
Nicosia – Cyprus

pabohorlu@ciu.edu.tr
 Thermal comfort is defined in British Standard BS EN ISO 7730 as:

‘that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment.’

So the term ‘thermal comfort’ describes a person’s psychological state of mind and
is usually referred to in terms of
whether someone is feeling too hot or too cold…

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/explained.htm Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT

The Factors Affecting Thermal Comfort

The six basic factors can be grouped under two headings as follows:
Environmental factors: Personal factors:
•Air temperature •Clothing Insulation
•Radiant temperature (MRT) •Metabolic heat
• Air velocity
•Humidity

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT : Environmental factors

Air Temperature

When the outdoor temperatures are high, we overheat or feel warm.

When the outdoor temperatures are low, the rate of heat loss becomes more rapid and we
may feel uncomfortably cold.

This is due to the heat transfering from high temperature zone to low temperature zone.
(hot to cold, warm to cool)

http://anthro.palomar.edu/adapt/adapt_2.htm Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT : Environmental factors

Season variations can change

Radiant Temperature (MRT)
direction of radiant heat flow

“Thermal radiation is the heat that radiates from a warm

object. Radiant heat may be present if there are heat
sources in an environment.

Examples of radiant heat sources include: the sun; fire;

electric fires; furnaces; steam rollers; ovens; walls in kilns;
cookers; dryers; hot surfaces and machinery, molten
metals etc.”

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm#radiant Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT : Environmental factors

Air Velocity

Air velocity plays a role in the perception of thermal comfort.

In hot weather, as the body tries to cool itself, the flow of air across the body will provide evaporative cooling
from sweating.
Still air in indoor environments that are artificially heated may cause people to feel stuffy/airless . It may
also lead to a build-up in odour.

http://cbe.berkeley.edu/underfloorair/thermalcomf
ort.htm

http://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/13980/1-boduch_fincher-
standards_of_human_comfort.pdf?sequence=2 Dr. P. Abohorlu
THERMAL COMFORT : Environmental factors

Humidity

Humidity can increase wetness on different areas of the body, leading to a perception of discomfort.

High humidity environments have a lot of vapour in the air, which prevents the evaporation of sweat
from the skin. The evaporation of sweat is the main method of heat loss in humans.

Dr. P. Abohorlu
THERMAL COMFORT : Personal factors

Metabolism affects perception of thermal comfort

Muscular activity
Digestive process
Daily cycle
Health
Age
Gender
Weight

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm#humidity Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT : Personal factors

It describes the heat that we produce inside our bodies as we carry out physical activity. The more
physical work we do, the more heat we produce. The more heat we produce, the more heat needs to be
lost so we don’t overheat. The impact of metabolic rate on thermal comfort is critical.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm#humidity Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT : Personal factors

Clothing

Clothing is both a potential cause of thermal discomfort as well as a control for it as we adapt to the
climate in which we live and play.

You may add layers of clothing if you feel cold, or remove layers of clothing if you feel warm.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm#humidity Dr. P. Abohorlu

Thermal Comfort: HEAT TRANSFER

Dr. P. Abohorlu
HEAT TRANSFER

The heat will be transferred from warmer region to a cooler region until it reaches its equilibrium
by three ways:

Conduction - Convection - Radiation

Dr. P. Abohorlu
Heat Transfer: CONDUCTION

Solid Liquid Gas

Conduction (MEDIUM IS SOLID)

Conduction occurs when two object at different temperatures are in contact with each other.

Heat flows from the warmer to the cooler object until they are both at the same temperature.

Conduction is the movement of heat through a substance by the collision of molecules.

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/light_lessons/thermal/transfer.html Dr. P. Abohorlu

Heat Transfer: CONDUCTION

Metals are excellent conductors of heat energy.

Wood or plastics are not. These "bad" conductors are called insulators.

That's why a pan is usually made of metal while the handle is made of a strong plastic/wood.

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/light_lessons/thermal/transfer.html Dr. P. Abohorlu

 Solid Liquid Gas
Heat Transfer: CONVECTION

Convection (MEDIUM IS GAS / LIQUID)

is the movement of gases or liquids (fluids) from a warmer region to a cooler region.

If a soup pan is made of glass, we could see the movement of convection currents in the pan. The
warmer soup moves up from the heated area at the bottom of the pan to the top where it is cooler. The
cooler soup then moves to take the warmer soup's place.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story_old/chapter01.html Dr. P. Abohorlu

THERMAL COMFORT

Another example would be a heater during the winter. The heater emits warm air which will rise to the
top of the room. The warm air will eventually cool and sink to the bottom of the room before getting
pulled back into the heater. Over time, this process will warm and mix the air as long as the heater
remains on.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story_old/chapter01.html Dr. P. Abohorlu

Heat Transfer: RADIATION

Radiation is the final form of movement of heat energy. The sun's light and heat cannot reach us by
conduction or convection because space is almost completely empty. There is nothing to transfer the
energy from the sun to the earth.

The sun's rays travel in straight lines called heat rays. When it moves that way, it is called radiation.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story_old/chapter01.html Dr. P. Abohorlu

Heat Transfer: RADIATION

When sunlight hits the earth, its radiation is absorbed or reflected. Darker surfaces absorb more of the
radiation and lighter surfaces reflect the radiation. So you would be cooler if you wear light or white
clothes in the summer.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story_old/chapter01.html Dr. P. Abohorlu

HEAT TRANSFER

Dr. P. Abohorlu
HEAT TRANSFER in BUILDINGS

Dr. P. Abohorlu
HEAT TRANSFER in BUILDINGS

Dr. P. Abohorlu
HEAT TRANSFER in BUILDINGS

Dr. P. Abohorlu
HEAT TRANSFER

Floor covering properties