Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones
Thermal comfort in educational environments affects not only students’ well-being but also their concentration and academic performance. In the context of climate change, university classrooms in Mediterranean climates face particular challenges due to higher and more variable temperatures. This stu...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/694 |
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| author | Pilar Romero María Teresa Miranda Rui Isidoro José Ignacio Arranz Víctor Valero-Amaro |
| author_facet | Pilar Romero María Teresa Miranda Rui Isidoro José Ignacio Arranz Víctor Valero-Amaro |
| author_sort | Pilar Romero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermal comfort in educational environments affects not only students’ well-being but also their concentration and academic performance. In the context of climate change, university classrooms in Mediterranean climates face particular challenges due to higher and more variable temperatures. This study evaluates thermal comfort in classrooms in southern Portugal, comparing natural ventilation (NV) and air-conditioning (AC) modes. Through environmental measurements and student surveys, thermal perceptions, preferences and factors such as position within the classroom were analysed. The results reveal that NV classrooms offer sustainable benefits, but their effectiveness decreases when outside temperatures exceed 28 °C, increasing thermal discomfort. In contrast, AC classrooms maintain more stable and comfortable conditions, although they have thermal gradients that affect specific zones, such as areas near windows or air vents. This study highlights the need for hybrid strategies that prioritise NV in moderate temperatures and use AC as a support in extreme conditions. Furthermore, it underlines the importance of appropriate architectural design and specific adaptive models for Mediterranean climates, balancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a4de3005a56406f977bad851373a297 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a4de3005a56406f977bad851373a2972025-01-24T13:20:30ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115269410.3390/app15020694Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate ZonesPilar Romero0María Teresa Miranda1Rui Isidoro2José Ignacio Arranz3Víctor Valero-Amaro4Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SpainDepartamento de Engenharia, Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão, Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Rua Pedro Soares, 7800-295 Beja, PortugalDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SpainDepartamento de Dirección de Empresas y Sociología, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SpainThermal comfort in educational environments affects not only students’ well-being but also their concentration and academic performance. In the context of climate change, university classrooms in Mediterranean climates face particular challenges due to higher and more variable temperatures. This study evaluates thermal comfort in classrooms in southern Portugal, comparing natural ventilation (NV) and air-conditioning (AC) modes. Through environmental measurements and student surveys, thermal perceptions, preferences and factors such as position within the classroom were analysed. The results reveal that NV classrooms offer sustainable benefits, but their effectiveness decreases when outside temperatures exceed 28 °C, increasing thermal discomfort. In contrast, AC classrooms maintain more stable and comfortable conditions, although they have thermal gradients that affect specific zones, such as areas near windows or air vents. This study highlights the need for hybrid strategies that prioritise NV in moderate temperatures and use AC as a support in extreme conditions. Furthermore, it underlines the importance of appropriate architectural design and specific adaptive models for Mediterranean climates, balancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/694thermal sensationhigher educationindoor environmentadaptive strategiesenergy-saving strategiesMediterranean climates |
| spellingShingle | Pilar Romero María Teresa Miranda Rui Isidoro José Ignacio Arranz Víctor Valero-Amaro Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones Applied Sciences thermal sensation higher education indoor environment adaptive strategies energy-saving strategies Mediterranean climates |
| title | Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones |
| title_full | Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones |
| title_fullStr | Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones |
| title_short | Thermal Comfort and Sustainability in University Classrooms: A Study in Mediterranean Climate Zones |
| title_sort | thermal comfort and sustainability in university classrooms a study in mediterranean climate zones |
| topic | thermal sensation higher education indoor environment adaptive strategies energy-saving strategies Mediterranean climates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/694 |
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