Low-Cost Thermohygrometers to Assess Thermal Comfort in the Built Environment: A Laboratory Evaluation of Their Measurement Performance

A thermohygrometer is an instrument that able to measure relative humidity and air temperature, which are two of the fundamental parameters estimate human thermal comfort. To date, market offers small low-cost solutions for this instrument, providing opportunity bring electronics closer end-user contributing proliferation a variety applications open-source projects. One most critical aspects using instruments their measurement reliability. This study aims determine performance seven thermohygrometers throughout 10-fold repeatability test in climatic chamber with temperatures ranging from about −10 +40 °C approximately 0 90%. Compared reference sensors, measurements show good linear behavior some exceptions. sub-dataset data collected then used calculate indoor (PMV) outdoor (UTCI) comfort indexes define discrepancies between calculated sensors sensors. The results suggest although six have accuracy meets requirements ISO 7726, cases, they do not provide acceptable indicators if values taken as are. regression analysis suggests it possible correct output reduce difference enabling use assess terms PMV stress UTCI encouraging more conscious environmental human-centric research.