Adaptive model and the adaptive mechanisms for thermal comfort in Japanese dwellings

Abstract

In order to quantify the seasonal differences in the comfort temperature and to develop a domestic adaptive model for Japanese dwellings, thermal measurements, a thermal comfort survey, and an occupant behaviour survey were conducted for 4 years in the living and bedrooms of dwellings in the Kanto region of Japan. We have collected 36,114 thermal comfort votes from 244 residents of 120 dwellings. The results show that the residents are highly satisfied with the thermal environment of their dwellings. People are well-adapted to the thermal condition of their dwellings, and thus the comfort temperature has large seasonal differences in free running mode (FR): 9.4 K. An adaptive model for housing was derived from the data to relate the indoor comfort temperature to the prevailing outdoor temperature, and the regression coefficient in the FR mode is notably higher (0.48) than that in office buildings. Such models are useful for the control of indoor temperatures. The adaptive model of thermal comfort is strongly supported by the various adaptive actions reported by the residents.