Scholarlink

<p>Vernacular architecture in the foothills of Himalaya in the state of Himachal Pradesh reflects climate-adaptive strategies refined over generations; however, empirical evidence on its thermal comfort performance during winter remains scarce. The present research examines the thermal comfort of the inhabitants of the traditional, adobe houses, with slate roofs. A mixed-methods methodology was adopted, involving onsite thermal measurements and questionnaire-based surveys in 130 houses during January and April months of 2022, representing winter and spring. Behavioral parameters such as clothing insulation levels and thermal sensation votes (TSVs) were collected monitored together with indoor-outdoor temperatures, relative humidity, and wind velocity. Regression analyses indicated a strong relationship between TSVs and indoor/outdoor temperatures (R²≈ 0.9), while relative humidity and wind speed had minor effects. During winter, indoor spaces remained significantly warmer than outdoors because of the high thermal mass of adobe walls, yet occupants reported discomfort, mitigated by clothing insulation up to 1.8 Clo. In spring, conditions were more favourable, with a comfortable indoor environment, with the temperature range of 19.8°C to 28°C. The study established an effective temperature range of 18.3°C to 23.6°C, confirming the thermal performance of these houses. The study underscores the resilience and energy efficiency of vernacular construction, offering valuable insights for sustainable housing design. The results can guide policymakers, architects, and researchers in integrating vernacular wisdom with modern strategies to enhance occupant comfort and reduce energy demand.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Thermal comfort analysis of vernacular mud houses in the low hills of Himachal Pradesh in winters

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月22日

查看全文
  • Ridima Sharma,
  • Vandna Sharma

摘要

Vernacular architecture in the foothills of Himalaya in the state of Himachal Pradesh reflects climate-adaptive strategies refined over generations; however, empirical evidence on its thermal comfort performance during winter remains scarce. The present research examines the thermal comfort of the inhabitants of the traditional, adobe houses, with slate roofs. A mixed-methods methodology was adopted, involving onsite thermal measurements and questionnaire-based surveys in 130 houses during January and April months of 2022, representing winter and spring. Behavioral parameters such as clothing insulation levels and thermal sensation votes (TSVs) were collected monitored together with indoor-outdoor temperatures, relative humidity, and wind velocity. Regression analyses indicated a strong relationship between TSVs and indoor/outdoor temperatures (R²≈ 0.9), while relative humidity and wind speed had minor effects. During winter, indoor spaces remained significantly warmer than outdoors because of the high thermal mass of adobe walls, yet occupants reported discomfort, mitigated by clothing insulation up to 1.8 Clo. In spring, conditions were more favourable, with a comfortable indoor environment, with the temperature range of 19.8°C to 28°C. The study established an effective temperature range of 18.3°C to 23.6°C, confirming the thermal performance of these houses. The study underscores the resilience and energy efficiency of vernacular construction, offering valuable insights for sustainable housing design. The results can guide policymakers, architects, and researchers in integrating vernacular wisdom with modern strategies to enhance occupant comfort and reduce energy demand.