Social Sustainability
Thermal Comfort
Definition
Thermal comfort is "that condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment" (ASHRAE Standard 55), determined by air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, air speed, clothing and activity. Standards define acceptable ranges (predicted mean vote models; adaptive comfort models for naturally ventilated buildings), and comfort expectations are the primary driver of heating and cooling demand — the largest share of building energy use.
References
Source imported for editorial provenance.
This reference provides supporting context for how “Thermal Comfort” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures building standards and HVAC design, energy efficiency programmes, workplace health rules and heat adaptation planning.
Why it matters
Thermal comfort is the demand signal behind a fifth of global electricity; redefining it intelligently is cheap decarbonisation.