Difference in the thermal response of the occupants living in northern and southern China

Abstract

Climate is one of the most important factors affecting human thermal comfort. In this study, we explore the influence of regional climate on thermal comfort by considering our data (collected in recent years) with those currently available in the scientific literature. By combining them, we obtained the regional and seasonal database of thermal comfort in China. The regional and seasonal distribution characteristics of indoor/outdoor air temperatures and of human thermal responses have been compared, establishing some relationships. In winter, the thermal environment and human thermal responses between northern and southern China were statistically different; however, they were not statistically different in summer. The seasonal differences in thermal environment and human thermal responses in each region were statistically significant. In neutral thermal environments, the neutral temperature was always close to the indoor mean temperature. In warmer (colder) environments, although the neutral temperature of the subjects was higher (or lower) than the indoor mean temperature, people could always accept their surroundings if provided with available adaptation opportunities. Overall, these findings support the climate adaptation theory and can serve as reference for the design of low-energy buildings.