Harimi Djamila, Chi-Ming Chu, Sivakumar Kumaresan

Show more
School of Engineering and Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Show less

Abstract: This paper presents the main findings of the effect of indoor humidity on occupants’ thermal comfort in the humid tropics of Malaysia. An extensive field investigation was carried out in Kota Kinabalu city and the surrounding areas, located in East Malaysia. A total of 890 individuals were asked to complete a questionnaire. Measured indoor climates were also recorded. The survey was designed as cross sectional data collection. The present investigation found that the occupants were thermally comfortable at wide relative humidity range. The mean relative humidity corresponding to the optimum comfort temperature was close to 73%. Regression models failed to predict accurately the effect of relative humidity on occupants’ thermal perceptions. In addition, a quadratic regression model was developed for the prediction of the mean indoor relative humidity based on indoor temperature. The suggested regression model can be used for an approximate prediction of indoor relative humidity when required.

Keywords: Humidity, Thermal Comfort, Malaysia, Humid-Tropics

Cite this paper: Djamila, H. , Chu, C. and Kumaresan, S. (2014) Effect of Humidity on Thermal Comfort in the Humid Tropics. Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research, 2, 109-117. doi: 10.4236/jbcpr.2014.22010.

References

[1]   ASHRAE 55 (2010) ASHRAE Standard 55-2010. Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.

[2]   ISO 7730 (2005) Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment—Analytical Determination and Interpretation of Thermal Comfort Using Calculation of the PMV and PPD indices and Local Thermal Comfort Criteria: International Organization for Standardization.

[3]   Holm, D. and Engelbrecht, F.A. (2005) Practical Choice of Thermal Comfort Scale and Range in Naturally Ventilated Buildings in South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 47, 9-14.

[4]   Arens, E., Gonzalez, R. and Berglund, L. (1986) Thermal Comfort under an Extended Range of Environmental Conditions. ASHRAE Transactions, 92, 18-26.

[5]   Olesen, B.W. and Parsons, K.C. (2002) Introduction to Thermal Comfort Standards and to the Proposed New Version of EN ISO 7730. Energy and Buildings, 34, 537-548.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7788(02)00004-X

[6]   Sreshthaputra, A. (2003) Building Design and Operation for Improving Thermal Comfort in Naturally Ventilated Building in a Hot-Humid Climate. Ph.D. Thesis in Architecture, Texas A & M University.

[7]   Fountain, M., Arens, E., Xu, T., Bouman, F. and Massayuki, O. (1999) An Investigation of Thermal Comfort at High Humidifies. ASHRAE Transactions, 105, 1-10.

[8]   ASHRAE 55 (1981) Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.

[9]   ASHRAE 55 (1992) Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.

[10]   ASHRAE 55 (1994) Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.

[11]   ASHRAE 55 (2004) ASHRAE Standard 55-2004. Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta.

[12]   Ibrahim, H. and Hazrin, A.R. (2009) Field Study on Thermal Comfort in Malaysia. European Journal of Scientific Re- search, 37, 134-152.

[13]   Berglund, L.G. (1998) Comfort and Humidity. ASHRAE Transactions, 40, 35-41.

[14]   Fang, L., Glausen, G. and Fanger, P.O. (1996) The Impact of Temperature and Humidity on Perception and Emission of Indoor Air Pollutants. Proceedings of Indoor Air’96, 21-26 July 1996, Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, 349-354.

[15]   Djamila, H., Chu, C.M. and Kumaresan, S. (2013) Field Study for Prediction and Evaluation of Comfort in Residential Buildings in the Equatorial Hot-Humid Climate of Malaysia. Building and Environment, 62, 133-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.01.017

[16]   Davis, M.P., Ghazali, M. and Nordin, N.A. (2006) Thermal Comfort Honeycomb Housing. Dar Ehsan, Selangor.

[17]   Djamila, H. (2012) Neutral Temperature for Naturally Ventilated Residences in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Ph.D. Thesis, School of Engineering and Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

[18]   Tanabe, S., Kimura, K. and Hara, T. (1987) Thermal Comfort Requirements during the Summer Season in Japan. ASHRAE Transactions, 93, 564-577.

[19]   Tanabe, S. and Kimura, K. (1994) Effect of Air Temperature, Humidity, and Air Movement on Thermal Comfort under Hot and Humid Conditions. ASHRAE Transactions, 100, 953-969.

[20]   McIntyre, D.A. (1980) Indoor Climate. Applied Science Publishers LTD, London.

[21]   Nevins, R., Rohles, F., Springer, W. and Feyerherm, A. (1966) Temperature-Humidity Chart for Thermal Comfort of Seated Persons. ASHRAE Transactions, 72, 283-291.

[22]   Bauman, F.S., Arens, E., Huizenga, C., Xu, T., Zhang, H., Akimoto, T. and Miura, K. (1996) The Impact of Humidity Standards on Energy Efficient Cooling in California. Final Report ASHRAE RP-781. California Institute for Energy Efficiency: Center for Environmental Design Research, Berkeley.

[23]   McNall, P.E., Jaax, F.H. Rohles, Nevins, R.G. and Springer, W.E. (1967) Thermal Comfort (Thermally Neutral) Conditions for Three Levels of Activity. ASHRAE Transactions, 73, 1-14.

[24]   MS (Malaysian Standard) 1525 (2001) Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy for Nonresidential Buildings: Department of Standards Malaysia.

[25]   P.W.D (The Development and Building Control Division) (1986) Handbook on Energy Conservation in Buildings and Building Services. Building and Construction Authority, the Development and Building Control Division, Singapore.