We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Thermal Comfort?

By Jeremy Laukkonen
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,584
References
Share

Thermal comfort is a concept that is tied to an individual's satisfaction with his or her indoor environment. For a person to feel thermal comfort, he must be neither too cold or too hot. Since this type of comfort can be affected by both internal and external factors, not every person will be comfortable in the same environment. The three main external factors are humidity levels, air temperatures, and air movements. These factors are often closely monitored in work environments, since employees are typically more productive if they are not too hot or cold.

Many different factors can contribute to thermal comfort, and each individual can have a different range of temperatures he or she is satisfied with. Internal factors, such as metabolism and age, can contribute to individual thermal sensitivity, and gender differences have also been noted. There can also be a psychological component in some cases. The amount and type of clothing a person wears also affects his comfort level, as someone wearing heavy clothing in an indoor environment will tend to be warmer than another person wearing light clothes.

Employers often attempt to provide a level of thermal comfort that is likely to satisfy the largest number of people. In order to achieve this, various heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be used. The three external factors that can be controlled in this manner are temperature, humidity levels, and air circulation. Temperature is the core factor behind thermal comfort, though it can be impacted significantly by both humidity and air velocity.

Some air movement in indoor environments is typically necessary, though excessive levels can cause a room to feel colder than it is. Indoor air velocities higher than 0.25 meters per second (50 feet per minute) can also be a distraction to workers. High humidity can make people feel uncomfortable and often results in an area feeling stuffy, but low humidity levels can cause respiratory problems. All of these factors must be balanced in order to provide the largest amount of comfort to the most people.

In addition to human employees, many of these concepts have also been applied to livestock. Thermal comfort in animals can affect productivity, and studies have shown a reduction in certain biological functions in the presence of extreme temperatures. Sheep in particular have shown a reduced ability to digest food when in a state of thermal discomfort, so addressing this issue may lead to higher yields.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-thermal-comfort.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.