Field evaluation of thermal and acoustical comfort in eight North-American buildings using embedded radiant systems

PLoS One. 2021 Oct 26;16(10):e0258888. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258888. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

We performed a post-occupancy assessment based on 500 occupant surveys in eight buildings using embedded radiant heating and cooling systems. This study follows-up on a quantitative assessment of 60 office buildings that found radiant and all-air buildings have comparable temperature and acoustic satisfaction with a tendency for increased temperature satisfaction in radiant buildings. Our objective was to investigate reasons of comfort and discomfort in the radiant buildings, and to relate these to building characteristics and operations strategies. The primary sources of thermal discomfort are lack of control over the thermal environment (both temperature and air movement) and slow system response, both of which were seen to be alleviated with fast-response adaptive opportunities such as operable windows and personal fans. There was no optimal radiant design or operation that maximized thermal comfort, and building operators were pleased with reduced repair and maintenance associated with radiant systems compared to all-air systems. Occupants reported low satisfaction with acoustics. This was primarily due to sound privacy issues in open-plan offices which may be exacerbated by highly reflective surfaces common in radiant spaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Conditioning*
  • Heating*
  • Humans
  • North America
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • United States

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Center for the Built Environment at University of California Berkeley. The Center for the Built Environment, with which the authors are affiliated, is advised by and funded in part by many partners that represent a diversity of organizations from the building industry – including manufacturers, building owners, facility managers, contractors, architects, engineers, government agencies, and utilities. None of the advisors participated directly in the research.