The Impact of Gender and Age on Thermal Comfort

Abstract

Thermal comfort is a highly subjective experience, reflecting an individual’s satisfaction with the prevailing thermal conditions in indoor spaces. Indoor climatic conditions are not the sole determinants shaping thermal experiences. Anthropogenic factors also exert a significant influence on them, underscoring the need for personalized approaches to enhance thermal comfort. This study investigated whether the anthropogenic factors of gender and age influence an individual’s thermal perception, analyzing data from multiple field studies on thermal comfort, which conducted across diverse climatic zones, geographical regions, and building types. The results demonstrated significant differences in thermal perception between males and females, with females exhibiting a greater propensity to report “cold” sensations and a reduced likelihood to report “neutral” sensations compared to males. Adolescents and young adults reported higher discomfort levels, while middle-aged and elderly exhibited a more evenly distributed balance between comfort and discomfort. Overall, the findings highlight the necessity to account for demographic diversity in thermal comfort assessments.