This study examined how metabolic rates, linked to static and dynamic therapies, affect indoor air temperature, predicted mean vote (PMV), energy consumption, and CO 2 emissions in physiotherapy centers. Simulations were performed across five climate zones: tropical rainforest (Af), hot desert (BWh), humid subtropical (Cfa), humid continental (Dfb), and tundra (ET). During static therapies, indoor temperatures remained stable between 25 and 30 °C in Af and BWh climates. In Cfa and Dfb climates, temperatures ranged from 25 to 30 °C in summer and 15–25 °C in winter, while ET climates exhibited a year-round range of 13.2–21.4 °C. Higher metabolic rates increased PMV values above + 2.0 in Af and BWh, causing thermal discomfort. In Cfa and Dfb, moderate comfort was achieved at medium metabolic rates, while in ET, acceptable comfort was observed at higher metabolic levels. Cooling-related electricity consumption in Af and BWh ranged from 23 to 31 kWh m −2 . In colder climates, heating demands raised energy use and CO 2 emissions, with winter gas consumption reaching 45 kWh m −2 and emissions up to 24 kg m −2 . The findings revealed that fixed temperature settings overlook individual and climatic differences, lowering energy efficiency. The study underscores the need for personalized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems by explicitly considering the internal heat gains generated by static therapy equipment and those arising from dynamic therapy applications, thereby enhancing their relevance to physiotherapy practice.
Yüksel et al. (Tue,) studied this question.