Gender disparities in thermal responses under vertical air temperature differences

• Published in: Energy and buildings Vol. 308; p. 114031
• Main Authors: Zhou, Shan, Li, Baizhan, Yao, Runming, Yu, Wei, Du, Chenqiu, Xi, Zhanli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Gender difference; Split air-conditioner; Thermal acceptability; Thermal comfort; Thermal sensation; Vertical air temperature difference; Thermal comfort; Vertical air temperature difference; Thermal sensation; Thermal acceptability; Split air-conditioner; Gender difference
• ISSN: 0378-7788
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114031

•Measured vertical air temperature difference distribution with split air-conditioner heating.•Females have lower thermal sensations and skin temperatures than males.•Analyzed predominate local segments under the cold and warm conditions.•Observed different thermal responses to the vertical temperature differences between genders. The effects of vertical temperature differences (VTD) on human thermal comfort have attracted growing attention from researchers when utilizing split air conditioners for winter heating. This study underscores the need to investigate the influences of gender disparities in the context of significant vertical temperature variations, a critical aspect that has not yet been comprehensively explored. Twenty gender-balanced subjects were exposed to a variety of stratified thermal environments created by a split air-conditioner. Their overall and local perceptual and physiological responses were measured at various operative temperatures and VTD. Results show that females have lower thermal sensation vote (TSV) and mean skin temperature under the same environments compared to males. Neutral operative temperatures of females and males are 23.7 ˚C and 20.8 ˚C, respectively. On the cold side, lower leg and foot thermal sensations are dominant whereas chest and back are dominant on the warm side. When females rated “slightly warm” (TSV equaled 1) or “warm” (TSV equaled 2), or males rated “slightly cool” (TSV equaled −1), increased VTD can lower thermal acceptability. The research findings have significant implications for the understanding of gender requirements of stratified heating environments and for maximizing the thermal comfort of the two genders.