The Importance of Standardised Data-Collection Methods in the Improvement of Thermal Comfort Assessment Models for Developing Countries in the Tropics

Carolina Rodriguez, María Coronado, Marta D’Alessandro and Juan Medina
Additional contact information
Carolina Rodriguez: Assistant Lecturer and Researcher at the Architecture Program, University Piloto de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, Carrera 9 No. 45A–44, Bogotá 110311, Colombia
María Coronado: Assistant Lecturer and Researcher at the Architecture Program, University Piloto de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, Carrera 9 No. 45A–44, Bogotá 110311, Colombia
Marta D’Alessandro: Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department (ABC), Polytechnic University of Milan; Campus Leonardo, via Bonardi 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
Juan Medina: Architecture Department, University of Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, Cra 1 Nº 18A–12, 111711 Bogotá, Colombia

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 15, 1-22

Abstract: Thermal comfort in the built environment is one of the most defining parameters influencing energy use, environmental quality, and occupant satisfaction. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research in this area within developing countries, which are becoming increasingly urbanised and where mechanical air conditioning demands are rising. Many of these countries are adopting thermal comfort standards such as the ASHRAE Standard 55, the EN 15251, and the ISO 7730 to regulate the use of air-conditioning; even when these standards have been widely criticised for their inadequacy within geographical regions different to the ones that they were designed for. Research suggests the need to confirm these models through further post-occupancy studies and fieldwork. Deficiencies in data collection and methodologies are thought to require particular attention to develop algorithms that can predict thermal comfort levels accurately. Comprehensive strategies considering interrelated psychological, physiological and social factors are needed. This manuscript highlights gaps of research, specifically within tropical developing countries, through the analysis of Colombia as a case study. It emphasises the importance of standardised fieldwork data and gives examples of alternative collection systems. This aims to contribute to the understanding of occupant´s adaptive behaviours and their impact on the mitigation of climate change.

Keywords: thermal comfort; mechanical ventilation; comfort assessment; tropical developing countries; energy use; thermal comfort data collection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/15/4180/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/15/4180/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4180-:d:254233

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().