Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort in the body is provided through homeothermy, the balancing of heat gains and losses to maintain the body’s core temperature within its narrow range, 36-38 °C [97-100 °F], and regulated by the hypothalamus. Thermal comfort can affect mood, performance and productivity. However, temperature preferences are highly personal and differ from one individual to another. Balancing the energy requirements of large buildings with the varied occupant preferences can thus be challenging.

This feature uses best practices to ensure a sufficient level of comfort for the majority of occupants. ASHRAE Standard 55 specifies that thermal comfort can be achieved in two ways, either through the Standard Comfort Zone or the Adaptive Comfort Zone.

Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment

All spaces in mechanically-ventilated projects meet the design, operating and performance criteria:

a.⁹² ASHRAE Standard 55-2013 Section 5.3, Standard Comfort Zone Compliance.

Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation

All spaces in naturally-ventilated projects meet the following criteria:

a.⁹² ASHRAE Standard 55-2013 Section 5.4, Adaptive Comfort Model.

Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen

The following requirements will be met at all times in the kitchen:

a. The operative temperature in the kitchen does not exceed 80 °F.

Integumentary

Nervous

Respiratory

Immune

	Core & Shell	New & Existing Buildings	New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment	P	P	P
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation	P	P	P
Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen	-	-	-

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment	P	P	P	P	P
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation	P	P	P	P	P
Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen	P	-	-	-	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	On-Site Checks
Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment	MEP	Spot Measurement
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation	MEP	Spot Measurement
Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen	MEP	Spot Measurement

Show Standard Citations

92

**ASHRAE. Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; 2013: 4; 8-13.**
76.1.a	ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy sets best practices for thermal comfort in buildings.
76.2.a	ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy sets best practices for thermal comfort in buildings.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

76. Thermal comfort