EVALUATION OF THERMAL COMFORT IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN DUHOK

Thermal comfort is an essential factor affecting occupants' health, well-being, and overall satisfaction within residential buildings. Due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and continuous residential development in the city of Duhok, the thermal performance of residential buildings has become an important issue for sustainable urban living. This study aims to evaluate the thermal comfort conditions of ten residential houses in Duhok, Iraq, through the assessment of indoor environmental parameters and occupants' perceptions.A mixed-method approach was employed, combining field measurements and occupant questionnaires. Indoor environmental data, including air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, and mean radiant temperature, were collected from the selected houses. In addition, a structured questionnaire was distributed to residents to assess their thermal sensation and overall satisfaction. Thermal comfort conditions were evaluated using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) indices in accordance with internationally recognized thermal comfort standards. The results indicated that indoor air temperatures ranged from 27.5°C to 31.0°C, with an average temperature of 29.07°C. PMV values ranged from 0.35 to 1.70, revealing that most houses experienced slightly warm to warm thermal conditions. Occupant satisfaction ranged from 45% to 91%, with an average of 70%. The findings demonstrated that houses with lower indoor temperatures and higher air movement achieved better thermal comfort performance and higher occupant satisfaction. The study concludes that improving natural ventilation, thermal insulation, and shading strategies can significantly enhance thermal comfort in residential buildings and contribute to better indoor environmental quality in Duhok.