Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh; Audu Umar

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh, Audu Umar

Published in International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science (Volume 6, Issue 6)

Received: 21 October 2021 Accepted: 11 November 2021 Published: 25 November 2021

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Abstract

A psychrometric chart is a web-based graphical user interface that allows for the prediction of thermal comfort and the visualization of comfort boundaries within predefined atmospheric qualities. Based on ASHRAE 55 adaptive method, this chart was used to analyse 10 administrative office buildings, with occupant-controlled natural conditioned spaces, located within Jos urban conurbation in Nigeria. This tool revealed that with an outdoor temperature of 32.0°C, indoor thermal comfort range for 80% and 90% acceptability corresponds to 24.2°C to 31.2°C and 25.2°C to 30.2°C respectively. It also established a neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C on the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. The neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C is at slight variance with other research indicating a Neutral Temperature of 29.4°C. However, this established neutral temperatures fall within 80% and 90% of acceptability thermal comfort range. This authenticates the validity of Psychometric Chart and the Neutral Temperature Analysis techniques as viable tools in thermal comfort studies in this research environment and conditions. This also indicates that most of the office buildings examined can operate fairly effectively without mechanical ventilation thereby providing savings in energy use and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Published in	International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science (Volume 6, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
Page(s)	151-157
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adaptive Model, Neutral Temperature, Thermal Comfort, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Psychrometric Chart, ASHRAE 55

References

[1]	ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 2005.
[2]	ASHRAE (2005). Fundamentals Handbook. Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
[3]	ANSI/ASHRAE Standard (2013). Thermal environment conditions for human occupancy. Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
[4]	Charles, R., Reardon, J. T., & Magee, R. J. (2009). Indoor air quality and thermal comfort in open-plan offices. Construction Technology updates. Ontario: Institute of Research in Construction (ICR): National Research Council, Canada.
[5]	Hoyt, T., Lee, K. H., Zhang, H., Arens, E and Webster, T (2009). Energy savings from extended air temperature setpoints and reductions in room air mixing. Proceedings, International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics, 2009.
[6]	Humphreys, M., & Nicol, J. F. (1998). Understanding the adaptive approach to thermal comfort. ASHRAE Technical Data Bulletin, 14 (1), 1-14.
[7]	Jimoh, A. O. (2017) “An Assessment of Energy Performance of Administrative Buildings in Jos, Nigeria”. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation; University of Jos, Nigeria.
[8]	Jimoh, A. O & Demenongu, J. (2020). Establishing Indoor Comfort Temperature (Neutral Temperature) in Naturally Ventilated (NV) Office Buildings in Jos, Nigeria. Journal of Energy Technologies and Policy. (10) 3, 39-50.
[9]	Jimoh, A. O & Demenongu, J. (2020). The Relationship Between Surface Temperature of Building Envelope and Ambient Indoor Temperature for Adobe Brick Building: A Case Study of an Adobe Brick Building in Jos – Nigeria. Journal of Environment and Earth Science. (10) 2, 115-122.
[10]	Lan, L., Wargoccki, P., & Llian, Z. (2011). Quantitative measurement of productivity loss due to thermal discomfort. Energy Build, 43, 1057-1062.
[11]	Lawal, A. F., Ojo, O. J. (2011). Assessment of thermal performance of residential buildings in Ibadan land, Nigeria. Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences (JETEAS), 2 (4), 581-586. Retrieved from http:// jeteas. scholarlink research.org.
[12]	Ogbonna, A. C., & Harris, D. J. (2007). Thermal comfort in Sub-Saharan Africa: Field research report in Jos, Nigeria. School of the Built Environment Heriot Watt.
[13]	Schiavon, S., Hoyt, T. & Piccioli, A. (2013). Web application for thermal comfort visualization and calculation according to ASHRAE Standard 55. Building Simulation, Volume 7, Issue 4, 321-334.
[14]	Schiavon, S. & Melikov, A. K. (2008). Energy saving and improved comfort by increased air movement. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6xg815xj.
[15]	Tyler, H. Stefano, S. Federico, T. Toby, C. Kyle, S. Alberto, P. and Dustin, M. 2019, Center for the Built Environment, University of California Berkeley.

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APA Style

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh, Audu Umar. (2021). Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science, 6(6), 151-157. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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ACS Style

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh; Audu Umar. Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. Int. J. Energy Environ. Sci. 2021, 6(6), 151-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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AMA Style

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh, Audu Umar. Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. Int J Energy Environ Sci. 2021;6(6):151-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12,
  author = {Ademola Olatunji Jimoh and Audu Umar},
  title = {Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart},
  journal = {International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {6},
  pages = {151-157},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijees.20210606.12},
  abstract = {A psychrometric chart is a web-based graphical user interface that allows for the prediction of thermal comfort and the visualization of comfort boundaries within predefined atmospheric qualities. Based on ASHRAE 55 adaptive method, this chart was used to analyse 10 administrative office buildings, with occupant-controlled natural conditioned spaces, located within Jos urban conurbation in Nigeria. This tool revealed that with an outdoor temperature of 32.0°C, indoor thermal comfort range for 80% and 90% acceptability corresponds to 24.2°C to 31.2°C and 25.2°C to 30.2°C respectively. It also established a neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C on the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. The neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C is at slight variance with other research indicating a Neutral Temperature of 29.4°C. However, this established neutral temperatures fall within 80% and 90% of acceptability thermal comfort range. This authenticates the validity of Psychometric Chart and the Neutral Temperature Analysis techniques as viable tools in thermal comfort studies in this research environment and conditions. This also indicates that most of the office buildings examined can operate fairly effectively without mechanical ventilation thereby providing savings in energy use and ensuring environmental sustainability.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart
AU  - Ademola Olatunji Jimoh
AU  - Audu Umar
Y1  - 2021/11/25
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
T2  - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science
JF  - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science
JO  - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science
SP  - 151
EP  - 157
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9546
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
AB  - A psychrometric chart is a web-based graphical user interface that allows for the prediction of thermal comfort and the visualization of comfort boundaries within predefined atmospheric qualities. Based on ASHRAE 55 adaptive method, this chart was used to analyse 10 administrative office buildings, with occupant-controlled natural conditioned spaces, located within Jos urban conurbation in Nigeria. This tool revealed that with an outdoor temperature of 32.0°C, indoor thermal comfort range for 80% and 90% acceptability corresponds to 24.2°C to 31.2°C and 25.2°C to 30.2°C respectively. It also established a neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C on the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. The neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C is at slight variance with other research indicating a Neutral Temperature of 29.4°C. However, this established neutral temperatures fall within 80% and 90% of acceptability thermal comfort range. This authenticates the validity of Psychometric Chart and the Neutral Temperature Analysis techniques as viable tools in thermal comfort studies in this research environment and conditions. This also indicates that most of the office buildings examined can operate fairly effectively without mechanical ventilation thereby providing savings in energy use and ensuring environmental sustainability.
VL  - 6
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
Audu Umar

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh, Audu Umar. (2021). Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science, 6(6), 151-157. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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ACS Style

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh; Audu Umar. Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. Int. J. Energy Environ. Sci. 2021, 6(6), 151-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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AMA Style

Ademola Olatunji Jimoh, Audu Umar. Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. Int J Energy Environ Sci. 2021;6(6):151-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12,
  author = {Ademola Olatunji Jimoh and Audu Umar},
  title = {Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart},
  journal = {International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {6},
  pages = {151-157},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijees.20210606.12},
  abstract = {A psychrometric chart is a web-based graphical user interface that allows for the prediction of thermal comfort and the visualization of comfort boundaries within predefined atmospheric qualities. Based on ASHRAE 55 adaptive method, this chart was used to analyse 10 administrative office buildings, with occupant-controlled natural conditioned spaces, located within Jos urban conurbation in Nigeria. This tool revealed that with an outdoor temperature of 32.0°C, indoor thermal comfort range for 80% and 90% acceptability corresponds to 24.2°C to 31.2°C and 25.2°C to 30.2°C respectively. It also established a neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C on the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. The neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C is at slight variance with other research indicating a Neutral Temperature of 29.4°C. However, this established neutral temperatures fall within 80% and 90% of acceptability thermal comfort range. This authenticates the validity of Psychometric Chart and the Neutral Temperature Analysis techniques as viable tools in thermal comfort studies in this research environment and conditions. This also indicates that most of the office buildings examined can operate fairly effectively without mechanical ventilation thereby providing savings in energy use and ensuring environmental sustainability.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Establishing Indoor Thermal Comfort Range for Office Buildings in Jos Nigeria Using the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart
AU  - Ademola Olatunji Jimoh
AU  - Audu Umar
Y1  - 2021/11/25
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
T2  - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science
JF  - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science
JO  - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science
SP  - 151
EP  - 157
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9546
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20210606.12
AB  - A psychrometric chart is a web-based graphical user interface that allows for the prediction of thermal comfort and the visualization of comfort boundaries within predefined atmospheric qualities. Based on ASHRAE 55 adaptive method, this chart was used to analyse 10 administrative office buildings, with occupant-controlled natural conditioned spaces, located within Jos urban conurbation in Nigeria. This tool revealed that with an outdoor temperature of 32.0°C, indoor thermal comfort range for 80% and 90% acceptability corresponds to 24.2°C to 31.2°C and 25.2°C to 30.2°C respectively. It also established a neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C on the Adaptive Psychrometric Chart. The neutral operative temperature of 29.0°C is at slight variance with other research indicating a Neutral Temperature of 29.4°C. However, this established neutral temperatures fall within 80% and 90% of acceptability thermal comfort range. This authenticates the validity of Psychometric Chart and the Neutral Temperature Analysis techniques as viable tools in thermal comfort studies in this research environment and conditions. This also indicates that most of the office buildings examined can operate fairly effectively without mechanical ventilation thereby providing savings in energy use and ensuring environmental sustainability.
VL  - 6
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download