C is for Comfort

The Comfort Pillar of the Pearl SCORE™ looks at how well a home supports comfortable living. It focuses on three common performance problems:

• Thermal comfort (Is it too hot or too cold?)
  
  
• Acoustic comfort (Is it too noisy?)
  
  
• Visual comfort (Is the lighting too dim or harsh?)
  
  

Thermal comfort makes up the largest share of points in this Pillar because it’s one of the most common complaints in homes. But noise and lighting also matter—they affect how well people sleep, focus, and relax.

People feel best when temperature, noise, and lighting stay within a comfortable range. But comfort is also personal. Some people like it warmer or cooler, quieter or brighter. A home that scores well in the Comfort Pillar reduces the chance of extreme discomfort and gives people more control over their environment.

The Pearl SCORE assigns points in the Comfort Pillar based on how well a home can reduce discomfort and support a better indoor experience. Homes may earn points for including features such as air sealing, insulation, quality windows, sound-reducing materials, or better lighting design. Some features earn points for meeting basic standards, while others earn more points based on higher performance or better installation.

The Comfort Pillar is informed by industry guidance, including:

• WELL Building Standard: Sound Concept