Thermal comfort and transition from solid fuel heating in historical multifamily buildings — Real-world study in Poland

• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111178
• Publication Date: 2021-06-10T16:19:09Z
• Authors: Magdalena Baborsk...; Marta Laska; Natalia Fidorów-K...; Martyna Mokrzecka; Małgorzata Małyszko; Marta Smektała; Ewelina Stefanowicz; Krzysztof Piechurski
• Keywords: Stove; Heating system; Solid fuel

Abstract Providing thermal comfort in residential buildings in winter by solid fuel combustion is a significant source of emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change. In this field study, we investigated thermal comfort in tenements (16 apartments) equipped with heating systems prevalent in Polish urban historical buildings, i.e. solid fuel stoves, electric heating, district-supplied central heating, or individual gas boilers. Our research comprised spot check multi-parameter measurements and continuous monitoring of the thermal environment, together with a longitudinal thermal comfort questionnaire survey (N = 0.2539). Differences were detected in the thermal environments depending on the heating system. In our sample solid fuel heating was associated with a thermal environment on average 3.3 °C colder than those heated by gas central heating. The inferiority of thermal comfort conditions associated with solid fuel was shown by predicted mean vote and adaptive thermal comfort analyses. However, the survey results on individual thermal sensations and preferences did not confirm these findings. Therefore, activating the residents to expedite the transition from solid fuel heating might not be supported effectively by the “lack of thermal comfort” narrative. Accordingly, we identified a need for further studies investigating the link between domestic thermal comfort and satisfaction with control over the cost of heating.