# Run and read thermal comfort simulations · infrared.city

> Choose the period, read UTCI and comfort frequency, and compare the same conditions. Thermal comfort combines air temperature, radiation, wind and humidity…

Source: https://infrared.city/getting-started/tutorial-thermal-comfort-simulation

25 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

Choose the period, read UTCI and comfort frequency, and compare the same conditions.

Thermal comfort combines air temperature, radiation, wind and humidity into one felt temperature, the UTCI. A standard run uses the wind of the weather file for the whole site. The level with local wind gives each 1 m cell its own wind from our AI wind model, so sheltered courtyards and windy streets differ ([how the physics levels work](https://infrared.city/learn/advanced-thermal-comfort)). Use **Thermal Comfort Index** to inspect UTCI over a selected window. Use **Thermal Comfort Statistics** to inspect how often a selected comfort condition occurs.

## Step 1: Check the inputs

![The buildings, vegetation, ground materials and weather inputs for the Vienna example](https://infrared.city/assets/media/platform-2026-10/vienna-data-layers.webp)

The buildings, vegetation, ground materials and weather inputs for the Vienna example

Open your project and select **Data layers**. Check buildings, trees, ground materials and the weather station or uploaded EPW file. Our example uses the same Vienna site as the [first simulation guide](https://infrared.city/getting-started/tutorial-run-your-first-simulation).

## Step 2: Set the weather and period

![Current Thermal Comfort Index settings, with the Vienna weather file and period presets](https://infrared.city/assets/media/platform-2026-10/vienna-thermal-setup.webp)

Current Thermal Comfort Index settings, with the Vienna weather file and period presets

Select **Add analysis**, then **Thermal Comfort Index** or **Thermal Comfort Statistics**. Open the configure control in **Selected**. Review **Weather & period** and select **Customize period**.

Choose a weather preset or use **Advanced** for custom months and hours. Check the window on the cart row before you run. Auto is the app default window; do not assume that it means the full year.

## Step 3: Read the UTCI result

![Vienna UTCI results with a close view of the site and the result distribution](https://infrared.city/assets/media/platform-2026-10/vienna-thermal.webp)

Vienna UTCI results with a close view of the site and the result distribution

Check the cart price, press **Run**, and open the completed card in **Results**. Read the run window first. The findings give the mean, highest map value, comfort zone and heat-stress share. The histogram shows the distribution across the site.

A map value can be an average over the selected hours. It is not necessarily the hottest hour. Keep the weather-file summary separate from the saved UTCI result. They can cover different periods.

## Step 4: Read comfort frequency

![Thermal Comfort Statistics for the same Vienna site, showing comfortable hours over the saved period](https://infrared.city/assets/media/platform-2026-10/vienna-thermal-statistics.webp)

Thermal Comfort Statistics for the same Vienna site, showing comfortable hours over the saved period

Open the completed **Thermal Comfort Statistics** result. Read the selected mode and period. A comfortable-hours result shows the share of time within the comfort range. A heat-stress result answers a different question. Check the result label before you interpret its percentages.

## Step 5: Compare the same conditions

![Saved wind and UTCI maps for the Hong Kong baseline and four variants](https://infrared.city/assets/media/platform-2026-10/hk-compare.webp)

Saved wind and UTCI maps for the Hong Kong baseline and four variants

Keep the weather, period and analysis settings the same across design options. Open **Compare** and choose **Across scenarios**. **Total** shows the result value; the difference and percentage modes compare it with the baseline.

Our Hong Kong example below illustrates the dashboard. It is a separate study, not a comparison with Vienna. Use the same colour scale and inspect the maps before you judge a difference. A smaller value is not better for every measure: read its purpose and units.