jaue2019-046: An Analysis on Requirements According to Occupant Metabolic Rate Based on Indoor Thermal Environment Controls

Abstract

People of the modern society spend more than 90% of their day, indoors. Therefore, in accordance with the life patterns of modern people, controlling the indoor thermal environment to the convenience of the occupant and for reduced energy consumption is needed. Accordingly, we conducted an analysis on requirements of the occupant’s metabolic rate when controlling the indoor thermal environment. The aim of this study is to classify occupants according to their metabolic rate and to analyze the occupant’s comfort requirements in the indoor thermal environment. The method of research was to conduct a survey experiment. The conclusions are as follows. While for metabolic rates at about 0.8 and 1.1, comfort can be controlled by the recommended indoor regulations, for a high metabolic rate at about 1.7, it may be harder to feel comfort. This shall serve as a base line data for future research on strategic control systems of an indoor thermal environment.