Abstract
Temperature and humidity on the periphery of the human body is a direct factor in influencing thermal comfort. This paper describes the evaluation of thermal comfort through measurement of the physiological and psychological responses to changes in the microclimate surrounding the human body. The temperature and humidity were changed using 2 patterns: from neutral to hot, and from hot to neutral. We found that even in the same thermal state the thermal comfort zone for the 2 patterns is different during close ambient changes due to hysteresis. Based on the results of sensory testing, we have estimated the thermal comfort zone as defined by the humidity and temperature close to the human body. The thermal comfort zone was determined to be an area in the temperature range of 29 to 31 degrees Celsius with a range of 20 to 50 % relative humidity. Based on these factors, the thermal comfort zone was different for the 2 climate change patterns. We have concluded that thermal comfort varies depending on the direction of the climate change.
