This paper presents a literature review of the Fanger’s predicted mean vote and adaptive thermal comfort models developed in different buildings and climates. An important premise of this paper is the fact that Fanger’s model underestimates the thermal impression in the actual case and thus is no longer valid for use in certain climates. As a consequence, many researchers have developed adaptive models from field studies for different climates and countries. However, there is still no adaptive model that can be applied in designing air-conditioning systems for different buildings in all tropical climate countries. Based on this comprehensive review, an internationally recognized adaptive model is needed to achieve better thermal conditions in a variety of buildings such as hospitals, offices, factories, lecture halls, museums, hotels and libraries in the tropics.
Practical application: The new conclusions from the comprehensive review on an adaptive thermal comfort model in buildings in the tropics could be used as an important guide for building service engineers and researchers. Their intentions are to minimize energy usage in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings such as hospitals, offices and lecture halls operating in the tropics while maintaining an acceptable thermal comfort level and thus improving the performance and well-being of the occupants.
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