The Future of Thermal Comfort in an Energy- Constrained World

The dissertation investigates the scientific and business factors that have resulted in air-conditioning being a major contributor to climate-change. With his architectural background, the author demonstrates how a design methodology, not commonly adopted in scientific studies, may actually be a suitable way of dealing with a complex problem: the 'business as usual' scenario involving building science, sociological values and consumer behavior. Using his innovations as case studies, the author shows how good ideas cannot be evaluated on scientific merit alone and demonstrates why commercialization may have a pivotal role in deployment of research-based technology. He advances the theory of personalized thermal comfort which can potentially resolve the air-conditioning conundrum.

List of contents

The State of the World.- Literature Review: Thermal Comfort and Air-Conditioning.- Brain Cooling.- Comfort Energetics - Thermal Comfort Under Energy Constraints.-Research Methodology.- The Rain Tower.- Finding a market-oriented solution.- Personal air-conditioning.- Field Testing DTAC, Methodology & Results.- Future Research.- Future Research.

Summary

The dissertation investigates the scientific and business factors that have resulted in air-conditioning being a major contributor to climate-change. With his architectural background, the author demonstrates how a design methodology, not commonly adopted in scientific studies, may actually be a suitable way of dealing with a complex problem: the 'business as usual' scenario involving building science, sociological values and consumer behavior. Using his innovations as case studies, the author shows how good ideas cannot be evaluated on scientific merit alone and demonstrates why commercialization may have a pivotal role in deployment of research-based technology. He advances the theory of personalized thermal comfort which can potentially resolve the air-conditioning conundrum.

Product details

• Authors: Tim Law
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 12.02.2013
• EAN: 9783319001487
• ISBN: 978-3-31-900148-7
• No. of pages: 329
• Dimensions: 164 mm x 243 mm x 25 mm
• Weight: 666 g
• Illustrations: XXII, 329 p.
• Series: Springer Theses; Springer Theses
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Structural and environmental engineering; Marktforschung, Umwelt, B, Climate Change, Market research, Building, Construction, engineering, The environment, Energy Policy, Economics and Management, Market Research/Competitive Intelligence, Building Construction and Design, Energy technology & engineering, Energy Efficiency, Heating, lighting, ventilation, Engineering, Architectural, Buildings—Design and construction, Climate Change Management and Policy, Climate Sciences, Market Research and Competitive Intelligence