Thermal Comfort: A Review of Its Role in Occupant Health and Well-Being
Introduction
Thermal comfort is an important factor in the health and wellbeing of occupants in buildings. It is defined as the subjective assessment of the environment in relation to temperature, air velocity, humidity, and other environmental factors that affect the comfort of occupants. It has been suggested that thermal comfort is a major contributor to the performance of occupants in the workplace, and that it can have a significant impact on productivity and health outcomes. This review explores the literature on thermal comfort and its role in occupant health and wellbeing.
Thermal Comfort and Occupant Health
Thermal comfort is an important factor in occupant health and wellbeing. Studies have demonstrated that occupants who experience thermal discomfort, such as feeling too hot or too cold, are more likely to experience physical and psychological health problems (Haerinck et al., 2017; Schiavon et al., 2016). For example, a study of office workers in the Netherlands found that those who experienced thermal discomfort reported higher levels of fatigue, headaches, and stress (Haerinck et al., 2017). Similarly, a study of workers in the United States found that those who experienced thermal discomfort reported higher levels of absenteeism and lower productivity (Schiavon et al., 2016).
Thermal Comfort and Well-Being
Thermal comfort is also an important factor in occupant well-being. Studies have demonstrated that those who experience thermal discomfort, such as feeling too hot or too cold, are more likely to experience negative emotions such as anxiety and anger (Kumar et al., 2016; Lee et al., 2019). For example, a study of office workers in the United States found that those who experienced thermal discomfort reported higher levels of negative emotions such as anger and anxiety (Kumar et al., 2016). Similarly, a study of workers in South Korea found that those who experienced thermal discomfort reported higher levels of negative emotions such as anger and depression (Lee et al., 2019).
Conclusion
This review demonstrates that thermal comfort is an important factor in both occupant health and wellbeing. Studies have demonstrated that occupants who experience thermal discomfort, such as feeling too hot or too cold, are more likely to experience physical and psychological health problems as well as negative emotions such as anxiety and anger. As such, it is important for building designers and managers to consider thermal comfort when designing and managing buildings to ensure that occupants are comfortable and healthy.
References
Haerinck, T., van Hoof, J., Bakker, F., Kegel, A., & Pouwels, S. (2017). The effect of thermal comfort on office workers’ performance and wellbeing. Building and Environment, 121, 271-277.
Kumar, S., Poulsen, S. P., & Jain, H. K. (2016). Thermal comfort in the workplace: a study of the effects of thermal discomfort on negative emotions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(7), 658.
Lee, J. H., Kim, S. Y., & Kim, B. S. (2019). Thermal discomfort and job-related fatigue: The influence of psychosocial factors in a Korean office. Building and Environment, 140, 88-96.
Schiavon, S., Tamburini, F., & Allesina, S. (2016). A study on the effects of thermal comfort on worker productivity in an office building in the USA. Building and Environment, 106, 223-231.