Smart Zero-energy Buildings and Communities for Smart Grids

6Objective and Subjective Evaluation of Thermal Comfort in the Loccioni Leaf Lab, Italy

6.1. Introduction

This chapter presents a methodology for the simultaneous subjective and objective evaluation of thermal comfort in commercial buildings. The methodology is utilized for the identification of serious thermal comfort issues, but also for the determination of the preferred comfort conditions in the Loccioni Leaf Lab office spaces, located in the province of Ancona, Italy, during the summer period.

The developed methodology is based on the intermediate protocol level for the evaluation of thermal comfort, as suggested by ASHRAE’s Performance Measurement Protocols for commercial buildings (PMP) (Hodo-Abalo et al. 2012).

The PMP is intended to provide “a standardized, consistent set of protocols, for a range of cost/accuracy that facilitate the appropriate comparison of the performance of six performance categories (energy, water, thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), lighting, and acoustics) in commercial buildings, while maintaining acceptable levels of building service for the occupants” (Hodo-Abalo 2012).

For each of the six performance categories (energy, water, thermal comfort, IAQ, lighting and acoustics) protocols are developed at three levels:

• 1) Basic: basic protocols involve simple, low-cost measures that help provide a preliminary insight into the annual performance of a building and usually involve measurements at the building level.
• 2) Intermediate: intermediate ...