Thermal Comfort (TG 22/2023)

Thermal comfort is a state of body and mind in which a person feels satisfaction with factors such as temperature and air movement in the indoor environment. There are a number of factors which affect thermal comfort, some of which can be measured, and some of which are more subjective. This topic guide explains the basic principles of thermal comfort as they apply to buildings in the UK.

The topic of thermal comfort is part of the wider topic of indoor environmental quality, which also includes indoor air quality (discussed in BSRIA topic guide TG 12/2022) and noise (discussed in BSRIA topic guide TG 20/2021).

This topic guide gives a general overview of the topic of thermal comfort for a general construction industry audience, including clients, architects and project managers. It includes information about legislation, factors affecting thermal comfort, measurement of thermal comfort and sources of further information.