DETERMINANT FACTORS OF INDISPENSABILITY OF AIR-CONDITIONERS FOR HOUSES

A prediction method for the subjective evaluation of the indispensability of air conditioners for houses has been developed. Nineteen input items were selected for this method from indices relating to (1) outdoor environment, (2) thermal character of the house, (3) architectural character of the house other than the thermal one, and (4) attributes of the resident. They were measured with a questionnaire. Among them, the most effective item on the indispensability of air conditioners was found to be the districts where the houses were located. Other than the districts, there were several items relating to outdoor environment which had considerable influence on the indispensability of an air conditioner. Therefore, in order to improve the summer indoor climate without any mechanical cooling method or to decrease the energy consumption for air-conditioning, it is necessary for designers to be quite clear about the pressures of city-scale environmental factors on indoor climate and to work out countermeasures with skillful planning of houses.