Thermal pleasure and comfort in naturally ventilated homes: insights from a field study on hot and humid climate

perspectivas de um estudo de campo em clima quente e úmido

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46421/encacelacac.v18i1.7092

Keywords:

Thermal pleasure, Natural ventilation, Air movement, Hot and humid climate

Abstract

This study investigates the subjective perception of thermal pleasure in homes in a hot and humid climate in Brazil. The research was based on a long-term field study in which air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity were constantly monitored while residents reported their thermal perceptions. The results indicate that increased air velocity through natural ventilation is crucial in promoting comfort. A strong association between thermal neutrality and pleasure was observed in predominantly naturally ventilated environments, suggesting that thermal acceptance can be achieved by prioritizing natural ventilation as a conditioning strategy. These findings reinforce the importance of considering thermal pleasure in comfort assessments, contributing to a broader understanding of adaptive thermal comfort in these climate conditions which prevail across the country.

Author Biographies

Carolina Buonocore, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning - State University of Maranhão

Professora (Classe C, Adjunto I) na Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA), Departamento de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (DAU). Possui graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo pela Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, mestrado em Arquitetura e Urbanismo pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC e doutorado em Arquitetura e Urbanismo pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC. 

Luiza de Castro, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings - Federal University of Santa Catarina

Doutoranda em Engenharia Civil no Laboratório de Eficiência Energética em Edificações (LabEEE) pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.

Renata De Vecchi, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings - Federal University of Santa Catarina

Possui graduação em arquitetura e urbanismo pela Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, mestrado e doutorado em engenharia civil pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Atualmente é pesquisadora do Laboratório de Eficiência Energética em Edificações (LabEEE/UFSC) e do Centro Brasileiro de Eficiência Energética em Edificações (CB3E), e professora substituta no Departamento de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da UFSC.

Roberto Lamberts, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings - Federal University of Santa Catarina

Professor titular da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

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Published

2025-08-16

How to Cite

BUONOCORE, Carolina; DE CASTRO, Luiza; DE VECCHI, Renata; LAMBERTS, Roberto. Thermal pleasure and comfort in naturally ventilated homes: insights from a field study on hot and humid climate: perspectivas de um estudo de campo em clima quente e úmido. In: ENCONTRO NACIONAL DE CONFORTO NO AMBIENTE CONSTRUÍDO, 18., 2025. Anais [...]. [S. l.], 2025. DOI: 10.46421/encacelacac.v18i1.7092. Disponível em: https://eventos.antac.org.br/index.php/encac/article/view/7092. Acesso em: 3 may. 2026.

Issue

Section

3. Conforto Térmico