Center for the Built Environment

Most existing thermal comfort models are applicable only to steady-state, uniform thermal environments. This paper presents summary results from 109 human subject tests that were performed under non-uniform and transient conditions. In these tests, local body areas of the subjects were independently heated or cooled while the rest of the body was exposed to a warm, neutral or cool environment. Skin temperatures, core temperature, thermal sensation and comfort responses were collected at one to three minute intervals. Based on these tests, we have developed predictive models of local and overall thermal sensation and comfort.