You’ll need to implement two forms of thermal comfort monitoring for this credit:

• Continuous monitoring of air temperature and humidity
• Periodic measurements of air speed and radiant temperature

This credit addresses the conditions that building occupants experience, not the measured conditions inside the ductwork or HVAC system.

The cost of the credit will vary depending on how much equipment is already installed or available in-house and whether building staff can take the required periodic measurements within occupied spaces.

Automatic sensors needed…

Air temperature and humidity measurements must be taken on 15-minute intervals, at a maximum. Existing sensors integrated into a building automation system (BAS) can make continuous monitoring and data trending easy, while the absence of a BAS or automatic sensors will make this credit very difficult.

…But so are handheld measurements

Project teams often overlook or misunderstand the requirements for measuring radiant temperature and air speed. These measurements must be taken at least once a year (under normal operating conditions) in the occupied spaces, and the use of handheld instruments is the only practical approach. Under no circumstances do velocity or temperature readings within the ventilation system satisfy the requirements for taking these measurements within occupied spaces.

Radiant temperature measurements take into account the phenomenon that a heated space air may feel cold if surrounded by cold windows that absorb a great deal of heat radiated by people. Conversely, a room with cool air temperature may feel warm if occupants are absorbing radiation from the sun or a hot exterior wall, for example. Measuring radiant temperature gives you more information to take appropriate corrective actions to improve occupant comfort.

Stay within acceptable ranges

You must establish comfort criteria based on ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 that is appropriate for your specific building.

If you find that conditions are outside acceptable ranges, you must take corrective actions to correct any problems.

Consider these questions when approaching this credit:

• Are you performing continuous monitoring of air temperature and humidity in your building? If not, can appropriate sensors be added to cover an adequate portion of occupied spaces?
• Do you have a system in place to respond to thermal comfort system alarms or occupant complaints with appropriate corrective actions in a timely manner?
• Are building engineers or third party technicians available and capable of performing periodic testing of air speed and radiant temperature?