A review on thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy consumption in temples

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering Vol. 35; p. 102013
• Main Authors: Yüksel, Ahmet, Arıcı, Müslüm, Krajčík, Michal, Civan, Mihriban, Karabay, Hasan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2021
• Subjects: Church; Energy consumption; Indoor air quality; Mosque; Temple; Thermal comfort; CFD; Energy consumption; HI; Church; Infrared; Relative Humidity; μg/m3; Mosque; Not Available; Volatile Organic Compound; Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied; m/s; HVAC; Photovoltaic; mg/m3; Thermal Sensation Vote; cat; Universal Temperature Climate Index; Physiological Equivalent Temperature; Persistent Organic Pollutant; met; ppmv; Indoor air quality; EEA; ppbv; Thermal comfort; Hour; Predicted Mean Vote; clo; AMV; ppm; EU; Temple; A/C; W/m2; Ventilation and Air Conditioning; g/m3: Gram per Cubic Meter Air; Indoor Environmental Quality; Particulate Matter; Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102013

Holy temples represent a unique type of buildings due to their large inner space, purpose, and intermittent use. This review summarizes the essential knowledge embodied in the numerous research studies performed on the topics of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and energy consumption in temples. The focus is on churches and mosques as two frequent types of temples, but the findings apply also to other temples with similar architectural and occupancy characteristics. The review has revealed that even though the topics of thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy consumption are interrelated, only one of the studies investigated all of them simultaneously. Though the energy consumption in temples is often high, this may not guarantee that a comfortable indoor environment is attained. Problems with thermal comfort frequently occur under severe climatic conditions. Passive measures such as thermal insulation, shading, using fans, cross-ventilating as well as innovative technical systems and operation strategies have been devised to improve the thermal conditions. It was found that the air quality deteriorates rapidly during prayers and natural ventilation by openings is usually not enough to ventilate the space. Despite that, the amount of research on indoor air pollutants and ventilating solutions in temples is scarce relative to the associated health and comfort costs. Studies on the use of renewable energy in temples are also lacking although the limited research on this topic indicates the feasibility of this energy-saving solution.
•Research on thermal comfort, air quality, and energy use in temples was reviewed.•Review was focused on churches and mosques but is also relevant to other temples.•Criteria on thermal comfort and air quality are often not met during prayers.•Passive measures and localized HVAC improve thermal comfort.•Research on the use of renewable energy in temples is lacking.