Investigating the Dynamics of Thermal Perception, Physiological Responses, and Task Performance in Office Environments

Abstract

Understanding occupant thermal comfort in office environments can be achieved by examining the interplay between environmental data, physiological measurements, and subjective feedback. The increasing adoption of wearable sensing technologies enables inferring thermal comfort based on physiological data, potentially transforming HVAC system design to better respond to occupant needs. However, there is a research gap regarding accurate methods to infer occupants’ perceptions of comfort. Furthermore, thermal comfort comparisons across different genders and locations are understudied. This study presents findings from an experimental investigation focused on the relationship between physiological signals, thermal comfort and task performance. Three key physiological measures—electroencephalography (EEG), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and skin temperature (ST)—were captured from 52 participants exposed to three distinct thermal conditions (slightly cool, neutral, and slightly warm) in a controlled office setting. The analysis compared thermal comfort perception, physiological measurements, and task performance across male and female participants and two locations: Cairo, characterized by a hot desert climate (BWh, ASHRAE climate zone 1B), and Montreal, characterized by a cold temperate climate (Dfb, ASHRAE climate zone 6A). Data from 156 tests were statistically analyzed, revealing gender differences in skin temperature responses across thermal conditions. Additionally, participants in Cairo exhibited heart rates approximately 15% higher under slightly warm conditions than those in Montreal, indicating location-based physiological variations. Moreover, task performance was about 20% more sensitive to thermal conditions for males than females. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between physiological responses, thermal comfort perceptions, and occupant performance in office environments, supporting the development of more responsive thermal comfort models.