Ambient temperature
The ambient temperature is the average air temperature surrounding something (such as a person) whether inside or outside. In relation to weather, the ambient temperature is the same as the current air temperature at any one location. Strong wind, and other factors such as surface temperatures may make it feel warmer or colder, but the ambient temperature only relates to the air temperature.
Ambient temperature can also be used to describe the state of objects. For instance, in electronics, the ambient temperature is the air temperature surrounding an object such as an LED. This is a very important parameter that allows equipment such as computers and other electronic devices to operate at peak efficiency.
Ambient temperature is usually expressed in degrees Centigrade (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Services engineers need to establish what the ambient temperature is likely to be at any one time before they can design a heating and cooling system that will create the best possible conditions for people to work in.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Air temperature.
- Building engineering physics.
- BREEAM Thermal comfort.
- Cold stress.
- Comfort.
- Heat stress.
- Heating degree days.
- Maximum and minimum workplace temperatures.
- Mean radiant temperature.
- Operative temperature.
- Overheating.
- Predicted mean vote.
- Psychometric charts.
- Radiant temperature.
- Sling psychrometer.
- Temperature.
- Thermal comfort.
- Thermal environment.
- Thermal indices.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Why being a mentor can help your career.
Channel 4 broadcaster to host 125th anniversary ceremony.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.