The Impact of the Urban Heat Island on the Sensation of Thermal Comfort and Electricity Consumption in Sfax in Central-Eastern Tunisia during the Hot Season

This study follows on from the work urban climate of Sfax and its energy repercussions. The spatial configuration heat island (UHI) distribution thermal comfort indices, index (HI), universal (UTCI) temperature humidity wind (THW), resulting car survey method, essentially show impact land use distance coastline air temperatures. A maximum difference 7 °C between city centre countryside is measured in very hot summer weather. During night phase, apparent temperatures are oppressive, particularly centre, where HI THW indices exceeding 40 were calculated. Compared to UTCI, demonstrates a much stronger variation due influence open areas downtown area. intensity discomfort decreases as one moves towards rural area (−15 compared centre), hence consumption electrical dedicated conditioning. central part most energy-intensive peripheral areas, especially during days when conditioners becomes constant, day night.