Enhancing Thermal Comfort Through Leading-Edge Design, Monitoring, and Optimization Technologies: A Review

Abstract

The study reviewed thermal comfort enhancing strategies in built environments through the utilization of advanced design, monitoring, and optimization technologies. This research is driven by increasing challenges arising from climate change and the need for sustainable, energy-efficient building solutions. These passive design strategies work best with optimum building orientation, natural shading, and a means of enabling natural ventilation to reduce the dependency on energy-intensive Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Technologies that help realize real-time monitoring, powered by sensors, data analytics, and Building Information Modeling, will provide a precise understanding of indoor environmental conditions. This allows adaptation to dynamic conditions and improves occupant comfort. It also elaborates on the contribution of wearable devices and related occupant feedback systems for capturing subjective thermal experiences, thereby enhancing fine-grained analysis. Lastly, it explains optimization technologies, mainly the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to predict thermal comfort and optimize the operation of the HVAC to reduce energy use, increasing building sustainability. It shows the potential of these technologies to yield more resilient built environments and to focus on energy efficiency and well-being principles toward human-centered approaches.