Examining Thermal Sensation and PMV Prediction Across Diverse Metabolic Rates in an Air-conditioned Environment

This study explores thermal sensation and compares it with PMV prediction across different metabolic rate activities in an air-conditioned environment. The experiments, conducted in a climate chamber, simulated various metabolic rates and temperatures for each condition. Twelve subjects, comprising six males and six females, participated, and environmental parameters and skin temperature were measured. Subjects assessed their thermal sensation, comfort, and preference every three minutes. Results revealed differences between PMV values and actual thermal sensations, with the gap widening as the metabolic rate increased. Additionally, the time for thermal sensation to reach neutrality, the duration of maintaining a neutral thermal sensation, and subsequent changes in sensation varied among metabolic rates and individuals. These findings highlighted limitations in the existing PMV model and offer insights into areas needing improvement for predicting thermal sensations in environments with diverse metabolic rates and temperature fluctuations.