In the quest to optimize indoor environments, a groundbreaking study led by Sandra Dedesko from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, has shed new light on the intricate dance between temperature, humidity, and human performance. Published in the journal Indoor Environments, the research challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh insights that could reshape how we design and manage buildings, with significant implications for the energy sector.
For decades, the construction industry has relied heavily on temperature-based models to gauge thermal comfort and energy efficiency. However, Dedesko’s research suggests that these models may not fully capture the nuances of indoor environmental quality and their impact on occupants. “We’ve been focusing too much on temperature alone,” Dedesko explains. “It’s time to give moisture the attention it deserves.”
The study, conducted in classrooms, measured a suite of thermal variables, including dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity, and correlated them with students’ cognitive performance and thermal sensations. The results were revealing: while temperature-based variables like Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) estimates reflected variations in air temperature, indoor enthalpy—a measure that considers both temperature and humidity—provided a more balanced reflection of indoor conditions.
The findings indicate that higher indoor enthalpy values are associated with improved cognitive test scores and warm sensations, with warm sensations also linked to better cognitive performance. This challenges the traditional emphasis on maintaining cool indoor temperatures and suggests that a more nuanced approach to indoor environmental quality could yield significant benefits.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? As buildings become increasingly energy-efficient, the focus is shifting from merely reducing energy consumption to enhancing occupant well-being. This study suggests that a more holistic approach to indoor environmental quality could be the key to unlocking this potential. By considering both temperature and humidity, building designers and managers could create spaces that not only save energy but also boost productivity and comfort.
The research also opens up new avenues for innovation in HVAC systems and building controls. As Dedesko notes, “The energy sector has a unique opportunity to lead the way in developing technologies that can dynamically respond to both temperature and humidity, creating truly adaptive and responsive indoor environments.”
However, the study is just the beginning. Dedesko and her team call for further research that incorporates diverse populations, varied built environments, and causal methods to deepen our understanding of the effects of air temperature and moisture on occupant outcomes. As the construction industry continues to evolve, this research could shape the future of building design and management, paving the way for smarter, more sustainable, and more comfortable indoor spaces.
The study was published in the journal Indoor Environments, which translates to Indoor Air in English. This research is a call to action for the energy sector to rethink its approach to indoor environmental quality and embrace a more holistic, occupant-centered perspective. The future of building design and management is not just about energy efficiency—it’s about creating spaces that work for people, too.