The relation between the thermoneutral zone and thermal comfort zone - Determination of the thermoneutral zone and the influence on thermal behaviour

The thermoneutral zone (TNZ) reflects the range of ambient temperatures where no regulatory changes in metabolic heat production or evaporative heat loss occur. Indications exist that the ambient temperature range wherein a subject is feeling thermal comfortable, i.e. the thermal comfort zone (TCZ), is larger compared to the TNZ. From both the building energy-use and a health perspective this could be highly beneficial. The objective of this study is to explore the TNZ and TCZ of individual subjects, in relation to a given range of ambient temperatures. Within this study a method is developed to measure the TNZ. Subjects are exposed to two different protocols, during both protocols a drift of ±10K/h in ambient temperature is studied. According to the preliminary results it is possible to determine the TNZ of the subjects. Furthermore, a relation between TNZ, TCZ and the temperature preference of subjects can be observed.  This approach links individual thermo-physiological properties to thermal comfort and thermal behaviour and will reveal important information for the energy use of buildings regarding user behaviour and user profiles.