Analyzing differences in thermal comfort between young and elderly adults in a hot-humid and low-windy climate

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Abstract
It has been proven that the thermal sensation and comfort differ among people living in different climate zones. However, related analyses are often limited to typical climate zones, lacking studies focused on populations in regions like Southern China (Guangxi) with hot-humid and low-windy climates. To address this research gap, this study selected dozens of local elderly and young adults as subjects, conducting questionnaire surveys and on-site measurements in a climate room. The investigation results indicate a significant difference in the thermal comfort between the elderly and young in the study region (Southeast Guangxi). The elderly exhibit more heat-tolerant characteristics in both physiological responses (skin temperature, heart rate) and psychological responses (mean thermal sensation vote, thermoneutral temperature, etc.), and have a wider comfort temperature range. The thermoneutral temperature of older people is 27.0°C, while that of young people is 26.6°C. It was also found that the thermal comfort model (PMV-PPD) is inapplicable to the elderly in this region. The findings obtained in this study can provide a reference for analyzing thermal comfort differences between the elderly and young in hot-humid and low-windy regions. It also offers important insights for developing thermal comfort models for the elderly and designing age-friendly air-conditioning systems.

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