Isı Bilimi ve Tekniği Dergisi, 31, 2,95 -100, 2011

J. of Thermal Science and Technology

©2011 TIBTD Printed in Turkey
ISSN 1300-3615

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT INDOOR AIR VELOCITIES AND TEMPERATURES

ON THERMAL COMFORT
Nurullah ARSLANOĞLU* ve Abdulvahap YİĞİT*

*Uludag University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering Department,

TR-16059, Bursa, Turkey, narslanoglu@uludag.edu.tr, avahap61@gmail.com

(Geliş Tarihi: 04. 03. 2010, Kabul Tarihi: 28. 09. 2010)

Abstract: Nowadays, an objective of different systems and technologies widely used in the HVAC systems is to
provide acceptable quality of clean indoor air and comfort. The main reason of using mechanical ventilation in office
buildings is to supply comfortable and healthy living environments for occupants, while maintaining minimum
energy consumption. Electricity, which is the most expensive energy resource, is used in HVAC systems. Saving
energy without changing the thermal comfort level would provide vast amount of profit considering operation costs.
There are many measures which can be taken in this regard. In this study, experiments were hold in a climate
chamber in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Heat Technology Laboratory in Uludag University, neck skin
temperatures were measured and thermal sensations were questioned of subjects under different climate conditions.
To evaluate the thermal comfort or discomfort "Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index was used. After comparing the
graphics obtained using the experiment results with the PMV values, optimum HVAC system operation conditions
that yield profit without compromising thermal comfort are determined. In the conclusion optimum operation
conditions for HVAC systems are suggested.
Keywords: Air conditioning, Thermal comfort, PMV.

FARKLI İÇ HAVA HIZLARININ VE SICAKLIKLARININ ISIL KONFOR ÜZERİNE

ETKİSİ

Özet: Günümüzde değişik sistem ve teknolojilerle yaygın olarak kullanılan iklimlendirme sistemlerinin amacı; kabul
edilebilir kalitede konforlu ve temiz iç ortam havası hazırlamaktır. Mekanik olarak iklimlendirilmiş hacimlerde temel
amaç, minimum enerji tüketimi elde etmekle birlikte, bu hacimleri kullanan insanlar için, sağlıklı ve konforlu yaşam
alanları sağlamaktır. Klima sistemlerinde en pahalı enerji biçimi olan elektrik enerjisi kullanılmaktadır. Bu enerjiden
konfordan fedakarlık etmeden gerçekleştirilebilecek tasarruf, işletme maliyetlerinde önemli karlılıklar sağlayacaktır.
Bu çerçevede alınabilecek pek çok önlem bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Uludağ Üniversitesi Makine Mühendisliği
Bölümünde Isı Tekniği Laboratuarında bulunan iklimlendirme odasında deneyler yapılmış olup farklı iklimlendirme
koşullarında deneklerin ense deri yüzey sıcaklıkları ölçülmüş ve deneklerin ısıl duyumları sorgulanmıştır. Isıl
konforun tespiti için “Tahmini Ortalama Oy (PMV)” indisi kullanılmıştır. Yaptığımız deneyler sonucu ortaya çıkan
grafikleri ve PMV değerlerini birlikte değerlendirerek konfordan fedakarlık etmeden tasarruf gerçekleştirebilecek
iklimlendirme sistemlerinin optimum çalışma şartları belirlenmeye çalışılmış ve sonuç bölümünde iklimlendirme
sistemlerinin optimum çalışma şartları için önerilerde bulunulmuştur.
Anahtar kelimeler: İklimlendirme, Isıl konfor, PMV.

INTRODUCTION sequences of partial body cooling and warming over a

period of 3 hours and collected the subject’s skin
In this section the literature review performed within the temperatures, core temperature, thermal sensation and
scope of our study is summarized. In the literature there comfort responses for 19 local body parts and for the
are various studies on this issue. The studies in the whole body. For thermal comfort and indoor air quality,
literature about thermal comfort are summarized. Partial international standards such as ASHRAE standard 55-
and whole body thermal sensation and comfort were 2004, and ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004 have been
investigated for uniform and non-uniform conditions by presented. According to the current standards, thermal
Arens et al. (2006a and 2006b, respectively). Arens et comfort is defined as “that condition of mind which
al. (2006a) exposed the subjects to uniform expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment”
environments and collected the subject’s local and which is assessed by subjective evaluation, and
whole body thermal sensation and comfort. In the latter acceptable indoor air quality is defined as “air in which
study, Arens et al. (2006b) exposed the subjects to there is no known contaminant at harmful

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concentrations as determined by cognisant authorities
and with which a substantial majority (80% or more) of
the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction”. For
thermal comfort, acceptable intervals have been given in
International Standarts such as ISO 7730.

The climate chamber experiments to investigate thermal

comfort at high humidity were performed by Fountain et
al. (1999). Havenith et al. (2002) discussed the
representation and measurement of personal factors
such as clothing parameters and metabolic heat
production rate in thermal comfort assessment. Olesen
and Parsons (2002) described existing ISO standards
and current activity associated with thermal comfort
including draught, vertical air temperature difference,
floor temperature and radiant asymmetry, which cause
mostly local thermal discomfort. Todde (2000) dealt
with experimental investigation on human reaction to
local air movements, and provided the evidence of how
the exposure duration to air movements plays a
fundamental role on air flow sensitivity.

In our study it is tried to determine the optimum HVAC

system operation conditions that save energy without
Figure 1. Experimental design: lateral and plan view.
compromising thermal comfort. In this study, for a
person, the impacts of local air velocity and temperature
on the changes of the skin temperature in time have
Each of two investigated thermal comfort parameters
been experimentally investigated. In the performed
(air temperature and air velocity) was used as a variable
experiments, the deviations of the skin surface
while the other was kept constant in the climate
temperatures of dry subjects entering the climate
chamber. Constant parameters were selected for
chamber were measured and examined. The subjects
maintaining thermal comfort. Based on the observation
were investigated about their predicted mean vote
that individuals often enter the air-conditioned room
(PMV) indices to obtain the deviation of the PMV index
perspiring in summer conditions, dry conditions were
depending on the air velocity and temperature for dry
examined. The subjects participated in tests of 120 min
skin conditions. The results have been examined and
each, where they were exposed to one constant
compared.
condition. The impact of thermal comfort parameters on
the skin surface temperature and the PMV index were
EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
studied at various combinations of air temperature, air
velocity, relative humidity and skin conditions, and
The experiments were carried out in a prefabricated
these combinations are shown in Table 1 according to
climate chamber (3.7x2.4x1.9 m3) in which the air
study weeks.
temperature, velocity and relative humidity could be
controlled. The test person was seated on a chair in the
Experimental study had continued for 4 weeks. In the
climate room; his back was facing towards the air-
first week, relative humidity and air velocity were
conditioning system. The positions of the subjects, the
adjusted to be constant at 50%rh and 0.2 m/s,
experimental apparatus, and measurement points are
respectively and the exposures ranged from 20 o C to 26
presented in Fig. 1. In the climate chamber, subjects o
C with 2 o C intervals for air temperature. In the second
were exposed to various combinations of air velocity,
week, air temperature and relative humidity were held
air temperature and relative humidity for 120 min. A
constant in the climate chamber at 24 o C and 50%rh,
computer was provided for the subjects and they were
respectively, and air velocity was changed from 0.2 m/s
allowed to watch films and/or surf on the internet. The
to 0.6 m/s with 0.2 m/s intervals. In the third week, air
rationale behind the selection of these environmental
velocity and relative humidity were held constant in the
conditions for the experimental analyses was that they
climate chamber at 50%rh and 0.4 m/s, respectively,
may occur in the mechanically ventilated buildings and
and the air temperature exposures ranged from 26 o C to
are within or close to the comfort limits that are
28 o C, In the forth week, air velocity and relative
recommended in current standards.
humidity were held constant in the climate chamber at
50%rh and 0.6 m/s, respectively, and the exposures
ranged from 26 o C to 28 o C.

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Table 1. Combinations of investigated parameters according dehumidifier and humidifier .The transmitter measures
to study weeks. relative humidity by means of a sensor in the range 0 to
Week Skin Constant Parameter Number 100% with an accuracy of ±2rh in the 0 – 9.9%rh, ±1rh
condition of in the 10 – 90%rh range and ±2rh in the 90.1 – 100%rh
Subjects range and temperature in the range -20 o C to +70 o C
1 Dry 0.2 m/s, %50rh 20 o C 25 with an accuracy of ±0.5 o C in the -20 o C – 10.1 o C
range and ±0.4 o C in the -10 o C – +50 o C range and
22 o C 25 ±0.5 o C in the +50.1 o C – +70 o C range. The air
velocity was measured continuously in the back side of
24 o C 25
the subjects and registered manually by the
26 o C 25 experimenter every 5 minutes. The range of air velocity
sensor is 0 m/s to 20 m/s with an accuracy of ±0.03 m/s
2 Dry 24 o C, %50rh 0.2 m/s 25 in the 0 m/s – 2 m/s range and ±0.2 m/s in the 2 m/s –
0.4 m/s 25 20 m/s range. The local variations in air temperature, air
velocity and relative humidity inside the chamber were
0.6 m/s 25 negligible. Air and mean radiant temperatures were
3 Dry 0.4 m/s, %50rh 26 o C 25 almost equal.
28 o C 25
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
o
4 Dry 0.6 m/s, %50rh 26 C 25
In this study, three of the parameters affecting thermal
28 o C 25 comfort (relative humidity, clothing parameter and
metabolic heat production rate) were kept constant,
while the effects of changes in the other two parameters
The subjects were also asked to evaluate their thermal (air velocity and air temperature) on the thermal comfort
environments according to the PMV index. During the were investigated. Furthermore, all subjects were
experiment, subjects were asked about their impressions questioned about their PMV indices for all the different
of their thermal sensation to constant indoor conditions thermal room conditions tested. The measurement
at 10 min, 60 min and 120 min of the experiment and results are shown in the following figures and tables.
the average value of the three responses were calculated PMV is an index that predicts the mean value of the
for each experiment. votes of a large group of people on a 7-point thermal
sensation scale: 0 neutral, ±1 slightly warm/cool, ±2
Experiments were carried out in climate chambers at a warm/cool, ±3 hot/cold. Table 3 shows the mean PMV
university laboratory in summer months of 2009. The values obtained from the experimental subjects in the
subjects were twenty-five healthy male university experiments. Examining the values in this table, we can
students. All subjects gave their informed consent prior see that the thermal sensation approaches to warm via
to the experiments. Only subjects in good health and increase in temperature. This table also shows that
with almost the same physique and body shape were increase in air velocities moves the thermal sensation to
allowed to participate to the experiments. The cool. The effects of air velocities on the thermal
anthropometric data for the subjects are listed in Table sensation have revealed interesting results. Changing
2. All subjects were requested to wear the same type of indoor air temperature from 24 o C to 26 o C and
clothing ensemble (briefs, short sleeve shirt, long increasing air speed to 0.4 m / s from the value of 0.2 m
trousers, and socks) made of cotton. The clothing / s value appear to cause the same thermal sensation.
insulation value of the ensemble was not measured, but We also see from this table that at 28 o C air
was estimated to be approximately 0.5 clo. temperature, increasing air speed to 0.6 m / s from 0.4 m
/ s appear to cause almost the same thermal sensation.
Table 2. Anthropometric data for the subjects. The neck skin surface temperature variations in time are
Sex Number Age Height Weight Du shown in the following figures for different indoor air
of in in Kg Bois temperatures depending for air velocity value of 0.2
subjects years metres area m/s, 0.4 m/s, 0.6m/s. In Table 3, obtained experimental
m2 data has been compared with values that were calculated
Male 25 22.9 1.78 76.99 1.94 from the equality in ISO 7730, and as a result, it has
± ± ± ± been seen that the majority of experimental data is
2.09 0.07 8.98 0.14 consistent with values obtained from this empirical
equality.

The air temperature and humidity in the climate Figure 2 shows the neck skin surface temperature
chamber were monitored continuously by a temperature variations in time for different indoor air temperatures
and humidity transmitter and noted manually by the and for air velocity value of 0.2 m / s. For 20 o C air
experimenter every 5 minutes. Relative humidity were temperature; the initial temperature of the neck is nearly
held constant in the climate chamber at 50%rh via 31 o C, it monotonously decreases about 4 o C in 2 hours.

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For 22 o C air temperature; it monotonously decreases 28 o C air temperature; in the first hour it is decreasing
about 1 o C in 2 hours. For 24 o C air temperature; in the approximately 0.1 o C from 32 o C, it is increasing about
first hour it approximately decreases 1o C, and then it 0.1 o C in second hour.
increases about 0.7 o C in the second hour. For 26 o C air
temperature; in the first hour it monotonously decreases Figure 4 shows the neck skin surface temperature
about 1 o C, and then it increases about 0.7o C in the variations in time for different indoor air temperatures
second hour. The observed increase in skin temperature depending for air velocity value of 0.6 m / s. For 24 o C
after a period of time is caused by the heat balance air temperature; First 80 minutes; it is constantly
mechanisms in the body that increase the body decreasing about 1 o C, last 40 minutes it is increasing
temperature. about 0.5 o C. For 26 o C air temperature; First 1 hour it
is decreasing approximately 0.8 o C, then it is increasing
Figure 3 shows the neck skin surface temperature about 0.2 o C in second hour. For 28 o C air temperature;
variations in time for different indoor air temperatures First 1 hour it is decreasing approximately 0.2 o C, then
for air velocity value of 0.4 m / s. For 24 o C air it is increasing about 0.2 o C in second hour. These
temperature; in the first 80 minutes, the neck skin increases demonstrate the reactions of the body heat
surface temperature is monotonously decreasing about balance mechanisms.
2 o C; in the last 40 minutes it is constant. For 26 o C air
temperature; it is decreasing about 1 o C in 2 hours. For

Table 3. The mean PMV values responses of the subjects.

Air velocity Temperature Relative humidity PMV(Experimental) PMV(ISO 7730)
o
20 C 50% -1.75

0.2 m/s 22 o C 50% -1.33

o
24 C 50% -0.5 -1.11
26 o C 50% 0.75 -0.31

0.4 m/s 24 o C 50% -0.75 -1.55

26 o C 50% -0.55 -0.66
o
28 C 50% -0.55 0.23
o
0.6 m/s 24 C 50% -1.25 -1.8
o
26 C 50% -0.92 -0.87
o
28 C 50% -0.15 0.1
NECK TEMPERATURE(ºC)

33
32 20°C
31
30 22°C
29
28 24°C
27
26 °C
26
25
0 50 100 150
TIME (min)

Figure 2. The neck skin surface temperature variations in time for different indoor air temperatures for air velocity value of 0.2 m/s.

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 33

NECK TEMPERATURE(ºC)
32.5
32
24°C
31.5
26°C
31
28°C
30.5
30
29.5
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
TIME(min)

Figure 3. The neck skin surface temperature variations in time for different indoor air temperatures for air velocity value of 0.4 m/s.

32.5
NECK TEMPERATURE

32
31.5 24°C
31
26°C
(ºC)

30.5
30 28°C
29.5
29
0 50 100 150
TIME(min)

Figure 4. The neck skin surface temperature variations in time for different indoor air temperatures for air velocity value of 0.6 m/s.

CONCLUSION / s air velocity and 22 o C indoor ambient temperature.

The neck temperatures for these two different air
Figure 2 shows that at 0.2 m / s air velocity, 20 o C is a conditioning settings get closer to each other in 2 hours,
low indoor air temperature in summer. Neck and the PMV values are close to each other in these two
temperature decreased 4 o C in 2 hours for 20 o C indoor different settings. Operation of an air conditioner under
air temperature. Table 3 shows that the negative 22oC temperature of cooling air and 0.2 m/s air velocity
maximum value of the mean PMV value is -1.75 at this or under 24 o C and 0.4 m/s air velocity has the same
temperature. 4 degrees of reduction can adversely affect thermal comfort level on a person. Hence increasing the
human health and can cause headache and neck pain. air velocity by 0.2 m/s can be preferred to decreasing
Considering that these results are obtained when the air- the air temperature by 2 o C considering economic
conditioner is operated at 20 o C and the first level of fan benefits. This result is essential since it proposes an easy
speed, it is obvious that at the second and third speed way to reduce the energy consumption in air
levels the results will have more negative consequences conditioning systems.
in terms of human health. Therefore air conditioning in
summer at 20 o C for indoor air temperature is not PMV index changes and the temperature of neck
suitable for human health. Ambient temperature of 22 o changes were examined of air velocity on thermal
C in a continuous decrease in surface temperature in the comfort sensation that is very effective. Fig.2. shows the
neck is, Therefore it is caused thermal discomfort can be neck skin surface temperature variations at 0.2 m / s air
seen from PMV indices. There is no significant velocity and 24 o C indoor ambient temperature and
difference between the PMV index values at air Figure 3 shows those at 0.4 m / s air velocity and 26 o C
temperature values of 24 o C and 26 o C at the second indoor ambient temperature. The neck temperatures for
and third speed levels. At air velocity 0.2 m / s, when these two different air conditioning settings get closer to
the indoor ambient temperature gets above 26 o C, the each other in 2 hours. Decreased indoor air temperature
thermal discomfort starts to be observed. together with increased air velocity provide the same
perception of thermal comfort. 24 o C and 0.2 m/s, 26 o
Fig.3. shows the neck skin surface temperature C and 0.4 m/s, 28 o C and 0.6 m/s indoor environment
variations at 0.4 m / s air velocity and 24 o C indoor conditions bring about that were observed near the
ambient temperature and Figure 2 shows those at 0.2 m thermal sensation. Therefore, in the design of energy

99
efficient buildings, optimal selection of the set values of
air conditioning inside the building will reduce the ASHRAE Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air
energy consumption significantly. Although 28 o C is a Quality, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
high temperature for indoor air temperature, during and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta GA, 2004.
night, when the outdoor temperature is in the vicinity of
28 o C, it has been observed that thermal comfort can be Fountain, M.C., Arens, E., Xu, T., Bauman, F.S.,
obtained via natural circulations. This result is important Oguru, M., An investigation of thermal comfort at high
in reducing energy consumption in buildings and can be humidities, ASHRAE Trans., 94, 94-103, 1999.
used in building air conditioning control. As a result of Havenith, G., Holmer, I., Parsons, K., Personal Factors
this study, following conclusions were obtained: in Thermal Comfort Assessment: Clothing Properties
and Metabolic Heat Production, Energy and Build., 34,
 There is a relationship between skin surface 581–594, 2002.
temperature and PMV values. Sudden decrease in skin
surface temperature causes thermal discomfort. ISO 7730, Determination of the PMV and PPD Indices
and the Specifications of the Conditions for Thermal
 Same perception of thermal comfort was obtained Comfort, Moderate Thermal Environments,
for indoor conditions of 24 o C, 0.2 m/s and 26 o C, 0.4 International Organization for Standardization,
m/s. Therefore, as optimal selection of indoor set Geneva, Switzerland, 1994.
values, the set values of 26 o C, 0.4 m/s can be treated as
appropriate values instead of 24 o C, 0.2 m/s from Olesen, B.W., Parsons, K.C., Introduction to thermal
economical point of view. comfort standards and to the proposed new version of
EN ISO 7730, Energy and Build., 34, 537-548, 2002.
REFERENCES
Todde, V., Perception and sensitivity to horizontal
Arens, E., Zhang, H., Huizenga, C., Partial and whole turbulent air flows at the head region, Indoor Air 10,
body thermal sensation and comfort – part I: uniform 297-3005, 2000.
environmental conditions, J. of Therm. Biol,. 31, 53-59,
2006a.

Arens, E., Zhang, H., Huizenga, C., Partial and whole

body thermal sensation and comfort part II: non
uniform environmental conditions, J. of Therm. Biol.,
31, 60-66, 2006b.

ASHRAE Thermal Environmental Conditions for

Human Occupancy, American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta
GA, 2004.

Nurullah ARSLANOĞLU, he was born in Belgium in 1983. He graduated from the

Department of Mechanical Engineering at Uludag University in 2006. He had got his
MSc degree from the same department in 2009 and started his PhD education in
2010. He has been working as a research assistant in the same department since 2008.
His main research interests are heat transfer, thermal comfort, air conditioning
systems. He is a member of MMO.

Abdulvahap YİĞİT, he was born in Pertek in 1961. He graduated from the

Mechanical Engineering Department of ITU in 1982 and he received PhD degree
from the same university in 1990. He had been promoted to Associate Professor at
Uludag University in 1993. In 2000, he had been assigned as the professor of
Mechanical Engineering Department at Uludag University. His main research
interests are heat and mass transfer, thermal comfort, refrigeration, solar energy,
absorption refrigeration systems. He is a member of TTMD, MMO.

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