Abstract
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect localized heating of the feet has on physiological and psychological reactions of female in an air-conditioned environment in summer. In Japan, female office workers wear less clothing than their male counterparts. In an air-conditioned office space in summer, female conducts thermoregulation by putting on cardigans, etc. but this action does not greatly contribute to improving conditions for the legs and feet, the lower extremities of the body. The improvement of sensational and physiological temperature by localized warming of the body can contribute to a healthy working environment for female office workers, their safety, and a reduction in air conditioning’s energy expenditure. We used the indoor thermal environment evaluation index ETF to investigate the effect localized heating of the feet has on human physiological and psychological response in an air-conditioned environment in summer. The result of heating by means of heat conduction via the sole of the foot was expressed more strongly as a psychological effect than as a whole-body physiological effect. Heating by means of heat conduction via the sole of the foot was a thermal environment factor that compensates for a low temperature in whole-body thermal sensation and whole-body thermal comfort. The effect of heating due to heat conduction via the sole of the foot was expressed in the change in sole-of- the-foot skin temperature. Applying slight heat conduction by means of heating via the sole of the foot demonstrated the result of improved whole-body thermal sensation and whole-body thermal comfort.
Highlights
IntroductionThese are demonstrated to be effective in highly hermetic spaces, but in office spaces and the like where people frequently enter and leave, the setting of higher outlet air speeds or outlet airflow temperatures is necessary, potentially producing a large temperature distribution
Air conditioners and other all-air temperature regulation systems are a typical method of indoor thermal environment regulation in Japan
When the human body is exposed to a low-temperature environment, autonomous thermoregulation mechanisms function to inhibit radiation by means of vasoconstriction in the extremities of the body and reduce heat loss
Summary
These are demonstrated to be effective in highly hermetic spaces, but in office spaces and the like where people frequently enter and leave, the setting of higher outlet air speeds or outlet airflow temperatures is necessary, potentially producing a large temperature distribution. The direct effect of cold air emitted from the air conditioner on the body can chill the body and risk causing air-conditioning syndromes such as sensitivity to cold, headaches, and physical listlessness. In comparison with their male counterparts, female office workers wear less clothing, making it more likely for them to experience physical chill. Introducing task and ambient air conditioning or personal air conditioning makes it possible to regulate the local environment around the body, but the reality is that the installation and cost of these form a barrier to their installation in existing buildings and spaces, and they have not become popular
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