ASSESSMENT OF THERMAL COMFORT IN A NATURALLY VENTILATED SPACE: PUBLIC HOUSING (HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD BLOCK - HDB BLOCKS)

Abstract

In Singapore, more than 80% of our population is residing in naturally ventilated public housing – Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Maintaining thermal comfort in the indoor environment of each unit is difficult due to the tropical climate of Singapore. Therefore, mechanical systems are used to maintain comfort indoor environment for the residents. In this paper, it presents the evaluation of thermal comfort in a naturally ventilated public housing of Singapore. Both field survey and measurement were conducted to document the thermal perception and preference of individual. 264 residents from Hougang and Tampines participated in the survey to determine their thermal satisfaction. The results obtained from both objective and subjective measurements were analysed. Even though the climate in Singapore is hot, more than 80% of the respondents feel that the thermal condition is thermally acceptable. Regression model has been applied to determine the correlation between the factors and Thermal Sensation Votes (TSV). Thermal comfort model was also derived by running a Multiple Linear Regression between the dependent and independent variables. Since Operative Temperature (Top) is a more accurate way to determining the temperature felt by the occupants, the relationship between the TSV and Top is studied. The mean TSV was plotted against Top to predict the neutral Top. The result suggests that the thermal comfort model is in line with previous thermal comfort studies.