THERMAL COMFORT IN STARTER HOMES IN THE UK

This paper reports on ratings, on the ASHRAE scale of thermal sensation, made by people in their own homes and compares the results to those of previous studies of climate chambers. It is based on BRE's sUIVey of "starter" homes: owner-occupied homes with one or two habitable rooms, constructed 1980-85. The mean living room temperature (19.2°C) and the preferred room temperature (19.4°C) were similar and corresponded to a rating of "slightly warm" on the ASHRAE scale. Thus the "neutral" point on the ASHRAE scale was not the preferred condition and occupants of starter homes preferred living-room temperatures slightly lower than those previously assumed comfortable (21°C) and those established by climate chamber studies (25°C). Mean thermal sensation was proportional to room temperature (r=O. 95) but thermal sensation was uniformly "slightly warm" between 18 and 23°C. This plateau was predominantly due to higher income groups who appeared to be more able to achieve thermal comfort at a wider range of temperatures than the lower income groups. However the older respondents, although on a lower income, lived in homes with higher room temperatures. As expected, respondents adjust their level of clothing to compensate for the room temperature.