Assumption 6, part 2: Baby, it’s cold inside
(Steeped in what feels like arctic levels of thermal discomfort, I am having difficulty disassociating from my sensation of being cold in order to write this post on thermal comfort.)Of the 32 interviews conducted to date, 19 respondents (roughly 60%) reported that they regularly experience uncomfortable temperatures at Krasnow. A work order is generated at least once a week regarding temperature adjustment, and I am told that statistics exist documenting the “too hot” versus “too cold” percentages.
Residents at Krasnow have attempted to regain their personal comfort by taping off the overhead vents, and opening their operable windows. They are asserting individual control of their space; unfortunately, their space is regulated on a zone HVAC control. Meanwhile, the increasing number of computers in the downstairs hallway emit significant heat with little opportunity for ventilation. Such microclimatic variations in temperature within zones create what feels like an uneven distribution of heating and cooling, and increase the overall demand on the HVAC system – which ultimately increases thermal discomfort.
Research conditions also require more precise regulation:
- One cannot get good frozen sections of a block of tissue when the temperature is greater 70 degrees.
- The pH of chemicals change from room to room when temperature fluctuations exist.
- Human subjects must be comfortable (not experiencing stress) to get accurate data, and have a positive experience so they will generate participation and referrals.
There is a need for the ability to individually regulate (for human comfort), and to more precisely monitor (for lab conditions) temperatures. With respect to the new construction, it is virtually impossible to over-spec on the mechanical systems because we cannot know the future demands that new technology and computers will pose. In addition, any trees that are cleared will have some effect on the existing thermal buffer and air quality (filtered light and temperature) that currently is in place.
posted by Meredith Banasiak, ANFA @ 10:42 AM
1 Comments:
I think part of the issue is the zone system. The other issue has to do with the electrical strip HVAC heating system which dries us all out in the winter.
I complain regularly about the temperature. Nothing seems to happen.
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