Temperatures and thermal comfort

Do retrospective reports about thermal discomfort vs. comfort map on experienced annual temperatures?

Overview

Do those people who report feeling it difficult to keep cold in their home in summer experience hotter ambient temperatures on average than those who do not report such a problem? Do those people who report feeling it hard to keep warm in the living room in winter experience lower temperatures than those who don’t? This research uses the EFUS survey to understand the relationship between self-reported thermal (dis-)comfort and measured ambient temperatures, and to characterize those who experience thermal discomfort.

Key Findings

• Those who experience thermal discomfort in summer do not experience higher average or maximum temperatures.
• Those who experience thermal discomfort in winter do not experience lower average or maximum temperatures.
• Hence, direct mapping of retrospective comfort state on ambient temperatures is not meaningful; which might indicate that other factors are more important than ambient temperatures for thermal comfort experience.
• There is modest evidence that those considered vulnerable are more likely to experience thermal discomfort.