Difference between revisions of "Human Comfort Zone"
From Green Garage Detroit
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* Our set points will be very near or within the human comfort zone which ranges from approx. 76-82^F and 30-60% RH in summer, from approx. 69-78^F and the 30-60% RH in winter. | * Our set points will be very near or within the human comfort zone which ranges from approx. 76-82^F and 30-60% RH in summer, from approx. 69-78^F and the 30-60% RH in winter. | ||
* We will allow the temperature to reach 65^F in the winter, and let the building users make up the difference to their own personal comfort zones. | * We will allow the temperature to reach 65^F in the winter, and let the building users make up the difference to their own personal comfort zones. | ||
| − | * We will allow the temperature to reach 82^F in the summer, and | + | * We will allow the temperature to reach 82^F in the summer, and let the building users make up the difference to their own personal comfort zones. |
* Supporting science: | * Supporting science: | ||
Revision as of 04:05, 9 June 2009
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Contents
What is It?
The human comfort zone refers to the range of temperature, air movement, and humidity conditions that most people will find comfortable most of the time (80%)??.
- Also known as: thermal comfort zone
Why is it Important?
- Strengthens our relationship to the earth -- changing the thermostat's setting has energy-use consequences.
- Encourages cooperative interactions -- one person's "too hot" may be another person's "too cold."
- Affects worker productivity.
When to Use It?
- Use the human comfort zone as a guide for set points for HVAC controls.
- Because different people experience different comfort levels, the comfort zone is only a guide and not an absolute.
Green Garage Use of the Human Comfort Zone
Sustainability Goals
- Use passive design systems as much as possible to maintain building conditions within the human comfort zone.
- We are looking for a balance point between human comfort and energy use. We need to be responsible personally and on a community level for this balance.
- Setting the thermostat at the low end of the human comfort zone in the winter and at the high end in the summer enables us to specify smaller HVAC equipment.
Strategy and Conceptual Design
- Our set points will be very near or within the human comfort zone which ranges from approx. 76-82^F and 30-60% RH in summer, from approx. 69-78^F and the 30-60% RH in winter.
- We will allow the temperature to reach 65^F in the winter, and let the building users make up the difference to their own personal comfort zones.
- We will allow the temperature to reach 82^F in the summer, and let the building users make up the difference to their own personal comfort zones.
- Supporting science:
- People tend to feel more comfortable at a wider range of temperature and humidity conditions if they know they have control over their environment.
- People can comfortably tolerate higher temperatures and humidity levels in the summer if the air is moving and if shade is provided, conversely air movement and shading should be minimized in the winter.
- People feel warmer in the winter if the humidity is higher, and cooler in the summer if it is lower.
Proposed Materials / Suppliers
- Identify (via links and short description) the materials and suppliers we propose to use.
Development Story
The ?? - Development Story page contains many images and videos documenting the process used at the Green Garage to design, build and operate our ?? system.
Related Internal Links
- Help people find other related Green Garage pages that may help them. Keep it tight.
