Appropriate indoor climate for environmentally sustainable Supermarkets – Measurements and Questionnaires

Half the electricity use in supermarkets derives from the display of refrigerated food. Climateinfluences the performance of the cabinets and their energy use as well as the thermal comfortof people and the temperature quality of the food. This work is an interdisciplinary study ofperceived comfort in relation to measured local climate. The aim is to define an appropriateclimate and to improve energy efficiency with maintained or even better climate for goods,staff and customers. Perceived comfort depends on thermal balance of the whole body.ISO7730 is valid only for situations where people spend a longer time. This study involvestemporary situation of supermarket shopping. Perception data have been obtained by meansof a questionnaire based on ISO10551. The results show that according to ISO7730 peopleshould be dissatisfied with their thermal comfort. The questionnaires (ISO10551), however,indicate that the thermal conditions are acceptable.