Thermal Comfort: What’s the Formula?

We’ve noticed a number of articles recently documenting the “decades-old formula” that sets the ASHRAE Standard 55 for Indoor Climate Regulation. In a nutshell, this formula accounts for a 44 year old 155 lb man wearing a business suit, which has led to many overly chilled offices. We can’t resist an opportunity to research the built environment, so we’ve decided to test our own office.

We are using 20 data loggers over 1 week intervals to track any temperature swings. In addition, we’ve conducted an online survey to learn how comfortable everyone is and to calculate the clothing insulating value (clo).

Office floor plan with the locations of the data loggers throughout the floor.

Thermal comfort around the office and how to calibrate for it was too intriguing of a conundrum for us to not put our Building Science gadgets to use! We’ll report our findings in a few weeks. In the meantime, how do you keep warm in an overly chilled office? Or, conversely, how do you stay cool in the office?

Related:
Energy consumption in buildings and female thermal demand
Enduring Summer’s Deep Freeze
It’s Too Cold in Many Buildings!
Your office thermostat is set for men’s comfort. Here’s the scientific proof.
Is Your Thermostat Sexist?
Chilly at Work? Office Formula Was Devised for Men
Women, There’s A Reason Why You’re Shivering In The Office
The Thermostat Isn’t Set Too Low Women, Says ASHRAE