The Thermal Condition and Comfort Temperature of Traditional Residential Houses Located in Mountainous Tropical Areas: An Adaptive Field Study Approach

Abstract

Thermal comfort may be evaluated from the thermal condition of residential houses and their occupants' satisfaction. This research evaluates the thermal comfort of traditional residential houses located in mountainous areas of Wonosobo, Indonesia. The evaluation is conducted based on the physical condition of residential houses and their occupants' satisfaction factors. A quantitative approach is employed to analyze the theory of static thermal comfort (Predicted Mean Vote/PMV) and that of adaptive thermal comfort (Actual Mean Vote/AMV). The research method is conducted based on a field study. The thermal condition is measured using 4 climate variables and 2 personal variables. Climate variables are air temperature, globe temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity. Personal variables are clothes and activity. AMV was based on thermal sensation from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers). The sensation thermal is very cold (-3), cold (-2), cool (-1), neutral (0), warm (+1), hot (+2), very hot (+3). The research has conducted a survey of 14 houses with 39 respondents. The research findings show that the comfort temperature is 24.47 o C within air temperature (T a) or 24.14 o C within T g or 24.17 o C within T o or 25.08 o C within T ET or 24.69 o C within T SET. These findings are compared to those previously conducted in Jakarta and Bandung showing that some differences are dealing with their comfort temperature. The other findings show that there are also some PMV and AMV differences of traditional residential houses located in the tropical mountainous areas.

Thermal Investigation at Wonosobo Market, Indonesia

“…On all sides, the average temperature value is between 28.5oC to 31.7oC. The temperature is more than the value of human thermal comfort in the highlands, which is predicted to have a comfortable value of 24oC (Hermawan et al, 2019). The condition of the Wonosobo market in the morning at around 9.00 WIB showed that the conditions were quite hot.…”

“…The comfortable temperature in each region differs according to the microclimatic conditions and the characteristics of the individual. In mountainous areas, it will be different from coastal areas, which have different microclimates (Hermawan et al, 2020). The comfortable temperature may vary for individuals with different activities.…”

The Relation between Effective Temperature and Thermal Sensation Vote in Tropical Vernacular Houses

“…In addition to persons, building performance should also be revealed. The connection between temperature and buildings can determine the thermal performance of buildings so that the occupants feel comfortable to stay in the buildings [13,14].…”

Physical comfort in Statiko Coffee Shop, Wonosobo, Indonesia

“…CO2 concentrations cannot be predicted when they reach 1500 ppm. Air temperature and humidity are variables that cannot be separated when discussing thermal comfort, although other factors add to the discussion [9] .…”