Conference Paper

Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2024

Impact of Occupant Behavior on Indoor Thermal Comfort and Ventilation Patterns in Social Housing of Mumbai, India: Observation from Experiments and Household Surveys

Vallary Gupta ¹, Ahana Sarkar ², Arnab Jana ^1
1 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
² University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India

Abstract: Investigating socio-cultural induced occupant behavior and its impact on indoor thermal comfort is essential in dense low-income tenements in India, owing to financial and space restraints. This study utilized household surveys followed by sensor-based field measurements to explore the occupant behavior-driven indoor temperature trends within slum rehabilitation housing in Mumbai.The findings underscore the use of ceiling fans and windows as primary strategies for adaptive comfort. Regression analysis validated an association between air temperature, fan, and cooking. However, fans dominate natural ventilation, as privacy concerns and architectural design limit window utilization. The study offers valuable insights for enhancing thermal comfort, in the context of energy-efficient design.
Keywords: Air temperature, Occupant behavior, Thermal comfort, Slum rehabilitation housing, Sensors
Pages: 768 - 777
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