Temperature of the space
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Temperature of Space: Insights from Recent Research
Higher Space Temperatures and Thermal Comfort in Tropical Buildings
In tropical regions, maintaining thermal comfort while optimizing energy efficiency is a significant challenge. Research indicates that typical indoor temperatures in tropical buildings are around 23°C with high relative humidity levels of 70-75%. However, studies suggest that increasing space temperatures to approximately 26°C with a relative humidity of around 60% can still provide acceptable thermal comfort. This adjustment can lead to substantial energy savings by reducing cooling loads1.
Thermal Comfort in Cold Climates: A Case Study from China
In severe cold climates, such as in northwest China, thermal comfort varies significantly across seasons. A study conducted at Shihezi University found that the thermal neutral temperature ranges from 24.42°C in winter to 28.10°C in summer. The preferred indoor temperatures were around 25.14°C in winter and 24.35°C during transitional seasons. These findings highlight the importance of adaptive behaviors, such as clothing adjustments and window operations, in maintaining thermal comfort2.
Thermal Comfort in Rural Folk Houses in Hot-Humid Areas
In rural areas of southern China, semi-open spaces play a crucial role in thermal comfort. Research shows that these spaces have higher air speeds and lower relative humidity compared to fully enclosed interiors. The thermal neutral temperature in semi-open spaces is slightly lower than in interior spaces, and rural residents tend to prefer slightly higher temperatures than their urban counterparts. This difference is attributed to psychological factors like local culture and perceived control over the environment3.
Thermostat Use and Thermal Needs in Shared Spaces
Optimizing indoor temperatures in shared spaces during winter involves understanding occupants' thermostat-use behaviors. Studies reveal that thermal needs are met at indoor temperatures of 18.5-20°C with local heating and 21-22°C without it. Additionally, every 1°C increase in indoor temperature reduces thermostat-use behaviors by 10-20%. The set-point temperature in shared spaces is often determined by the thermal needs of the least adaptive occupants4.
Temperature and Indoor Environmental Processes
Temperature significantly influences various physical and chemical processes in indoor environments. For instance, reaction rates and equilibria constants are temperature-dependent, leading to non-linear changes in chemical phenomena over small temperature ranges. Additionally, transport processes are affected by spatial temperature gradients and the properties of indoor materials. These factors collectively impact indoor air quality and thermal comfort5.
Estimating Air Temperature Distribution in Built Spaces
Accurately measuring air temperature distribution in built spaces is challenging. Recent advancements using ground-based thermal infrared spectroradiometers have shown promise in estimating horizontal air temperature distributions. This method has demonstrated an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.3°C, indicating its potential for remote temperature estimation in various built environments6.
The Temperature of Stellar Space and Its Terrestrial Implications
Understanding the temperature of stellar space is crucial for terrestrial physics. The temperature of space, influenced by radiation from stars, affects the heat balance on Earth. For example, the heat received from the Gulf Stream and the sun must be considered alongside the heat from stellar radiation to accurately determine the temperature of the North Atlantic7.
Electrical Thermal Storage Devices for Space Heating
Electrical thermal storage (ETS) devices offer an efficient solution for space heating by utilizing off-peak electricity. These devices can achieve high temperatures, with outlet air reaching up to 835 K. The natural convection process in these devices transfers a significant portion of the heating energy to the space, making them a viable option for maintaining indoor temperatures8.
Measuring Temperature Distribution Using Ultrasound CT
Ultrasound computerized tomography (CT) has been proposed as a method for measuring temperature distribution in space. This technique has shown promising results in reconstructing air temperature distributions, with successful experiments demonstrating the ability to detect temperature variations as small as 30°C in a controlled environment9.
Impact of Green Spaces on Urban Temperature
Green spaces in urban areas can significantly reduce temperatures. Studies in Sistan, Iran, show that areas with vegetation have lower mean air temperatures by 1°C and mean radiant temperatures by 6°C compared to areas without vegetation. This cooling effect is crucial for urban planning and improving thermal comfort in open spaces10.
Conclusion
The temperature of space, both in terms of indoor environments and the broader context of stellar space, plays a critical role in thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental processes. Understanding and optimizing these temperatures through various strategies, from adaptive behaviors to advanced measurement techniques, can lead to improved living conditions and energy savings.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Higher space temperatures and better thermal comfort — a tropical analysis
Higher space temperatures in tropical buildings can provide acceptable thermal comfort and energy savings, while overcoming psychrometric challenges and reducing cooling loads.
Highly CitedPassive space design, building environment and thermal comfort: A university building under severe cold climate, China
Passive space design in a university building in a severe cold climate zone improves thermal comfort and reduces adaptive behaviors like clothing adjustment and window opening.
Thermal comfort in interior and semi-open spaces of rural folk houses in hot-humid areas
Semi-open spaces in rural folk houses in hot-humid areas improve thermal comfort, with rural residents requiring higher temperatures in summer than urban residents, due to local culture, expectations, and perceived control.
Meeting thermal needs of occupants in shared space with an adjustable thermostat and local heating in winter: An experimental study
In shared spaces, meeting thermal needs is mainly determined by reducing cool-sensation reduction, rather than changing set-point temperatures.
Temperature and indoor environments.
Temperature significantly influences indoor processes, occupant comfort, and the release of indoor pollutants, with global emergencies like climate change requiring holistic temperature considerations.
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