Perceived thermal acceptability and behavioural adjustment for Indonesian workers

Abstract

Behavioural adaptation is a fundamental factor in thermal comfort. Clothing insulation, opening windows, and integrating cooling systems within buildings are key to ensuring thermal comfort while conserving energy. This study collected behavioural adaptation data from 3000 Indonesian adults who regularly worked indoors. The results indicate that the thermal acceptability is in a similar range for all groups separated by residence space type despite the dominant thermal conditioning measure in each group is different. Based on ISO 9920, the typical clothing ensembles were determined for each group, and their clo-values were estimated. Office workers tended to wear more garments than factory workers, while at home, people wear light clothes. Therefore, the estimated clo-value in home are much lower compare to the workplaces clo-value. Clo-value in the workplaces with AC tends to show a higher value compared to naturally ventilated building. Clo-value for female is also higher than male. In general, AC usage in the office was higher than in factories and homes. Females tends to use more AC than Males. These differences reflect variety of socioeconomic and cultural aspects in public and private in Indonesia.