Assessment of thermal comfort in relation to applied low exergy systems - The design of a climate chamber and the use of a thermophysiological model

Applying the low exergy concept (i.e. low exergy HVAC systems) in the built environment allows reducing the use of high quality energy. However, application of lowex systems can reveal in global/local discomfort. In general, discomfort is caused by combined non-uniform environmental conditions which can occur due to application of these systems. Satisfaction of the occupants with their thermal environment is one of the most important parameters to successfully apply lowex systems; therefore it is important to adequately assess thermal comfort under nonuniform and transient environmental conditions taken into account global and local effects and individual characteristics. This paper describes the design of a relatively unique climate chamber set-up which enables studying non-uniform environmental conditions. Furthermore, the use of a thermophysiological model to predict both global and local thermal comfort under non-uniform environmental conditions including individual characteristics will be discussed.