Energy-efficient buildings by taking into account female metabolism
By taking into account the actual metabolic rate of women, a crucial step can be made in creating more energy-efficient buildings and a more comfortable working area for women. This according to Dr Boris Kingma and Professor Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt in a letter published in Nature Climate Change. Their argument is supported by a new biophysical computer model that not only takes into account male-female differences, but also different body types.
We have known for some time now that the metabolic rate of women is 20 to 35% lower than that of men. However, the standard used to determine the ideal indoor climate in public areas and other buildings is based on the metabolic rate of an average man. As a result, buildings may not be used as expected; for example, turning up the thermostat, turning on the heater or drinking more tea or coffee than usual increases the building energy consumption.
The current standard is based on calculations used to determine heat balance between body and the environment. This is then linked to the measured thermal comfort of men and women to find the most comfortable room temperature for all.
The new biophysical computer model used by the researchers compares the body’s internal heat transport, which may differ due to body composition, with the heat balance between the body and the environment. This way the optimal temperature can be determined for specific sub-populations such as men and women or slimmer and heavier-set individuals. A crucial factor in this is using the right metabolic rate.
In addition to the issue of comfort, Van Marken Lichtenbelt’s research group aims to determine how exposure to temperature variations can improve health. PhD candidate Mark Hanssen has recently demonstrated that exposure to cold has extremely positive effects on people with type 2 diabetes. The researchers hope that the new biophysical computer model will help them identify which temperature variations have the most beneficial health effects.
Also read
-
Innovation, growth, and the Schumpeterian Legacy | SBE Academics React to Nobel Prize in Economics 2025
This year’s Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their groundbreaking research on innovation-driven economic growth. SBE academics reflect on the laureates’ contributions, the enduring influence of Schumpeterian ideas, and the insights their work...
-
Sophie Jooren - Compliance to local tobacco policies
Whether a specific intervention to create a smoke-free outdoor environment is effective or not has been widely studied. However, to improve compliance, policymakers need to understand how smokers react to those interventions and the factors influencing their compliance.
-
Sweeteners help maintain weight loss after dieting
Overweight people who want to lose weight successfully are better off supplementing their healthy diet with sweeteners than with foods containing sugar products. An international study, in which Maastricht University (UM) participated, shows that people who supplement their diet with sweeteners are...
