The Relation between Effective Temperature and Thermal Sensation Vote in Tropical Vernacular Houses

One of the factors to enable energy efficiency in buildings is creating thermal comfort for the occupants of buildings so that the artificial vaporization is not required. The thermal sensation vote (TSV) is an indicator in analyzing the occupants’ satisfaction on the thermal comfort of their buildings. Some climate variables that relate to the TSV include air temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The three variables can be combined into a variable using a psychrometric chart. The combined variable is known as an effective temperature. The present research aims at analyzing the connection between effective temperature and TSV in vernacular houses in the tropical mountain and beach locations and comparing the results of the analysis. The quantitative method was employed in the research by measuring the variables of climate using a thermal measuring instrument. The TSV was measured with ASHRAE (American Standard of Heating, Refrigerating, Air-Conditioning Engineer)’s seven-point sensation scale. The measurement was carried out in transitional periods from the dry season to the wet season. Interpretation of graphs and charts was made for analysis based on the variable of effective temperature. The results of the research indicated that there was a connection between effective temperature and TSV. The effective temperature in vernacular houses in tropical mountain locations tended to be lower, and therefore the cool thermal sensation had the greatest percentage of TSV. Meanwhile, the effective temperature in tropical beach locations tended to be high, and therefore the warm thermal sensation had the greatest percentage. In a neutral scale, the percentage of TSV in tropical mountain locations was greater than that of TSV in tropical beach locations. Therefore, it is concluded that the occupants of vernacular houses in tropical mountain location felt more comfortable than those of vernacular houses in tropical beach locations.