Adaptive temperature limits : A new guideline in The Netherlands A new approach for the assessment of building performance with respect to thermal indoor climate

Abstract The first guidelines for thermal comfort in buildings in The Netherlands were developed in the late 70s and in the 80s. They were based on the PMV-PPD relationship. In this article new guidelines are presented, based on the international research on adaptive thermal comfort. Two building/climate types are introduced: “Alpha” and “Beta”, analogous to the categories in the field studies on adaptive thermal comfort. For each building/climate type operative indoor temperature limits are given as a function of the running mean outdoor temperature and classified according to NPR-CR 1752. Finally some initial temperature simulations are shown, the results of which are plotted in the new comfort zone.