Indoor Thermal Environment Long-Term Data Analytics Using IoT Devices in Korean Apartments: A Case Study

Abstract

IoT-based monitoring devices can transmit real-time and long-term thermal environment data, enabling innovative conversion for the evaluation and management of the indoor thermal environment. However, long-term indoor thermal measurements using IoT-based devices to investigate health effects have rarely been conducted. Using apartments in Seoul as a case study, we conducted long-term monitoring of thermal environmental using IoT-based real-time wireless sensors. We measured the temperature, relative humidity (RH), and CO2 in the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms of each household over one year. In addition, in one of the houses, velocity and globe temperatures were measured for multiple summer and autumn seasons. Results of our present study indicated that outdoor temperature is an important influencing factor of indoor thermal environment and indoor RH is a good indicator of residents’ lifestyle. Our findings highlighted the need for temperature management in summer, RH management in winter, and kitchen thermal environment management during summer and tropical nights. This study suggested that IoT devices are a potential approach for evaluating personal exposure to indoor thermal environmental risks. In addition, long-term monitoring and analysis is an efficient approach for analyzing complex indoor thermal environments and is a viable method for application in healthcare.

Correlation of Climate Change Indicators with Health and Environmental Data in the Philippines

“…21 The negative correlation of CO 2 and household air pollution health risk exposure value prevalence may be confounded by temperature and ventilation, as seen in the study of Yun et al (2020) and Argunhan and Aci (2018). 22,23 The study results showed that global carbon dioxide measurements negatively correlated to malaria incidence and NTD in the Philippines. The negative correlation between global carbon dioxide levels and malaria incidence may be confounded by temperature.…”

“…The study in Korea investigated the relationship of carbon dioxide in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms against temperature among apartments in Seoul. 22 They found that during cooling seasons with an outdoor temperature of above 32°C but less than 36°C, there was a negative correlation of CO 2 and temperature . 21 Meanwhile, the study in Turkey investigated the relationship of CO 2 and particulate matter to temperature and showed a negative correlation of indoor CO 2 (-0.409), PM 10 (-0.324), and PM 5.0 (-0.261) to indoor temperature during spring.…”

“…23 More so, Yun et al also found an observed increasing correlation between CO 2 and indoor humidity during cooling seasons when the air conditioner is functioning. 22 Closed environments lead to poor ventilation, which increases the concentration of air pollutants. This could also be further aggravated by inadequately cleaned air conditioners which can harbor harmful organisms.…”

Remote sensing of indoor thermal environment from outside the building through window opening gap by using infrared camera

“…People spend almost 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, the indoor thermal environment is closely related to occupant comfort, well-being, and health [ 1 – 3 ]. Extreme heat and cold exposure poses health risks, particularly for the elderly, children, and those with chronic illness [ 4 – 6 ].…”