Monitoring Indoor Air Quality in Buildings: An Overview of Measuring Devices and Main Challenges for a Correct Operation

This research delves into the foundational elements of thermal comfort, crucial alongside visual comfort, acoustic comfort, and air quality for ensuring the quality and sustainability of living environments. With increasing recognition of thermal comfort’s implications across various human activities, from energy management for efficiency to considerations of environmental impact and economy, its comprehensive understanding is paramount. The study scrutinizes the prevailing methodology of evaluating comfort via true thermal sensation rating, dissecting the involved variables and their relative significance in determining comfort levels. Following this analysis and parameter definition, a comparative assessment of diverse sensors was conducted to gauge measurement accuracy concerning key variables of interest, thereby identifying the most suitable sensor for real-world applications. Conducted at the ENEA research center in Rome, the study executed an experimental setup within one of the center’s offices. Subsequently, reflections were made on the feasibility of providing indoor comfort indications amidst variable data availability, exploring potential simplifications and approximations to streamline comfort index evaluations.