DOI: 10.5176/2251-189X_SEES18.11
Authors: Hanan Al-Khatri Mohamed B. Gadi
Abstract: In educational buildings, thermal comfort affects students’ health and performance. In gulf countries, thermal comfort is highly achieved by nonrenewable energies. Thus, understanding thermal comfort requirements is crucial in order to fulfil them using the minimum possible amount of nonrenewable energies. In this research, thermal conditions were investigated in five female high schools in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Recorded measurements included air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, and globe temperature. Besides, a questionnaire collected the subjective votes. Findings revealed that students distinguished between thermal comfort, neutrality, and acceptance. Using a linear regression model, it was found that for each unit change in air or globe temperature, a change of 0.203 or 0.140 respectively occurred in thermal sensation. Exploring the use of adaptive opportunities indicated the students’ heavy reliance on air conditioners to modify their thermal conditions. It is advised to conduct future work to confirm findings and to elevate students’ awareness about the influence of passive adaptive mechanisms.
Keywords: Thermal comfort; Adaptive opportunities; Schools; Female students; Muscat; Oman
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