Performance-Based Framework for Assessing Thermal Comfort Conditions at the HUB on the University of Washington Campus

Abstract

Mechanical practices for preserving commercial building indoor environmental quality, specifically within the thermal comfort domain, require extensive resource inputs. On average, building heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems account for roughly 39% of the energy consumption in office buildings [1]. Additionally, studies suggest that the average American spends 90% of their time indoors [2], making the protection and governance of indoor environmental quality critical for protecting human health. Building heating and cooling (ASHRAE) standards exist to regulate commercial building indoor temperature and ventilation requirements; however, it is unclear if current standards are reliable, or if the standards should be revised to better optimize occupant comfort and building energy consumption. This paper examines the ASHRAE 55-2017 Section 5.4 thermal comfort limit state equation through applying a performance-based framework to data collected at the Husky Union Building (HUB), on the University of Washington, Seattle campus. Preliminary results suggest that the existing ASHRAE limit state guideline is often exceeded during the summer season. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between summer maximum daily outdoor temperatures and summer maximum daily indoor temperatures in the naturally ventilated building. This relationship suggests future challenges for maintaining occupant comfort throughout extreme heating events and changing climate conditions.