30 September 2019
Daylight levels affect our thermal perception
A pioneering study carried out at EPFL shows that the amount of daylight in a room can influence our thermal comfort and how well we tolerate heat or cold. The findings could be used to improve existing building standards and decrease energy consumption.
The study has been published in Scientific Reports by scientists of the EPFL’s Laboratory of Integrated Performance in Design (LIPID) and suggests that heat in a room is better tolerate if the room is lit with natural rather than artificial light.
“If our hypothesis turns out to be correct, buildings could be made more energy efficient by creating additional space for natural light during either the construction or renovation phase. That would also make buildings more comfortable for their occupants”, says Giorgia Chinazzo, who conducted the study.