The effect of internal blinds on thermal comfort: An experimental analysis in an office room with radiant panels

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of two types of internal blinds on the indoor thermal environment of a highly glazed office room in Istanbul during summer. The research examined four configurations: (i) no blinds, (ii) roller blinds, (iii) layered roller blinds in night mode and (iv) layered roller blinds in day mode. Measurements of air velocity, average radiation temperature, air temperature and relative humidity were conducted to assess thermal comfort. The findings revealed that internal blinds significantly influence thermal comfort in radiantly cooled office spaces during summer. Without blinds, the indoor environment only met ISO 7730 comfort category C, with average predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) values of 0.6 and 12.5%, respectively. However, with internal blinds, comfort categories A and B were achieved, resulting in improved thermal comfort levels, with average PMV and PPD values ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 and 6% to 7.5%, respectively. Roller blinds, in particular, proved highly effective in enhancing thermal comfort and reducing mean radiant and indoor air temperatures in highly glazed radiant cooling offices. This demonstrated their energy-efficient potential for improving indoor thermal comfort.