Thermal comfort and gender: a literature review

Karjalainen, S.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00747.x

Cited by 536Building Energy and Comfort OptimizationThermoregulation and physiological responsesUrban Heat Island Mitigation

Thermal comfort and gender: a literature review

Karjalainen, S.·2012·Indoor Air

DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00747.x

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

UNLABELLED: This review examines scientific literature on the effect of gender on indoor thermal comfort. Gender differences have been generally considered to be small and insignificant but this review shows that a growing number of studies have found significant differences in thermal comfort between the genders. Clearly more than half of the laboratory and field studies have found that females express more dissatisfaction than males in the same thermal environments. Very few studies have found males to be more dissatisfied than females. A meta-analysis shows that females are more likely than males to express thermal dissatisfaction (ratio: 1.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.61-1.89). However, most studies found no significant difference in neutral temperatures between the genders. Females are more sensitive than males to a deviation from an optimal temperature and express more dissatisfaction, especially in cooler conditions. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: We should no longer neglect the more rigorous requirements that females have for indoor thermal environments. Gender differences indicate that females have, on average, a greater need for individual temperature control and adaptive actions than males. The results of this review suggest that females should primarily be used as subjects when examining indoor thermal comfort requirements, as if females are satisfied it is highly probable that males are also satisfied.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00747.x

Cites

63 of 63 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Most original studies identified by the review papers presented in Table 4 report women to be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, women to be more often dissatisfied than men, women to have smaller comfort zones and to be more often uncomfortably hot or cold than men.
“In summary, most original studies identified by the review papers presented in Table 4 report women to be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, women to be more often dissatisfied than men, women to have smaller comfort zones and to be more often uncomfortably hot or cold than men [59–61,67].”
From Drivers of diversity in human thermal perception – A review for holistic comfort models (2018) · cites this paper as [67]
Different clothing patterns of women and men are regularly reported in field studies, with women usually exhibiting lower CLO values than men.
“Also, different clothing patterns of women and men are regularly reported in field studies, with women usually exhibiting lower CLO values than men [59,67].”
From Drivers of diversity in human thermal perception – A review for holistic comfort models (2018) · cites this paper as [67]

Thermal comfort: Analysis and applications in environmental engineering
Fanger, P. O. (1972) · Applied Ergonomics · doi:10.1016/s0003-6870(72)80074-7 · Cited by 4,515 · see citing works
Literature survey on how different factors influence human comfort in indoor environments
Frontczak, M., & Wargocki, P. L. (2010) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.10.021 · Cited by 1,259 · see citing works
Forty years of Fanger’s model of thermal comfort: comfort for all?
van Hoof, J. (2008) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00516.x · Cited by 733 · see citing works
Thermal comfort: A review paper
Djongyang, N., Tchinda, R., & Njomo, D. (2010) · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2010.07.040 · Cited by 727 · see citing works
Air turbulence and sensation of draught
Fanger, P. O., Melikov, A. K., Hanzawa, H., et al. (1988) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/0378-7788(88)90053-9 · Cited by 532 · see citing works
Gender differences in thermal comfort and use of thermostats in everyday thermal environments
Karjalainen, S. (2006) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.01.009 · Cited by 457 · see citing works
Self-citation
SICK BUILDING SYNDROME: A STUDY OF 4373 OFFICE WORKERS
Burge, S., Hedge, A., Wilson, S., et al. (1987) · The Annals of Occupational Hygiene · doi:10.1093/annhyg/31.4a.493 · Cited by 419 · see citing works
Evaluation of calculation methods of mean skin temperature for use in thermal comfort study
Liu, W., Lian, Z., Deng, Q., & Liu, Y. (2010) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.08.011 · Cited by 395 · see citing works
Effect of age, gender, economic group and tenure on thermal comfort: A field study in residential buildings in hot and dry climate with seasonal variations
Indraganti, M., & Rao, K. D. (2009) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2009.09.003 · Cited by 338 · see citing works
The effects of gender, acclimation state, the opportunity to adjust clothing and physical disability on requirements for thermal comfort
Parsons, K. (2002) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/s0378-7788(02)00009-9 · Cited by 298 · see citing works
Finger cold-induced vasodilation: a review
Daanen, H. A. M. (2003) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-003-0818-2 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
Do people like to feel ‘neutral’?
Humphreys, M. A., & Hancock, M. (2007) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.02.014 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Field experiments on thermal comfort in campus classrooms in Taiwan
Hwang, R., Lin, T., & Kuo, N.-J. (2005) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2005.05.001 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Investigation of gender difference in thermal comfort for Chinese people
Lan, L., Lian, Z., Liu, W., & Liu, Y. (2007) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-007-0609-2 · Cited by 246 · see citing works
Field study on behaviors and adaptation of elderly people and their thermal comfort requirements in residential environments
Hwang, R., & Chen, C.-P. (2010) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00649.x · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Field studies of thermal comfort compared and applied
(1976) · Applied Ergonomics · doi:10.1016/0003-6870(76)90104-6 · Cited by 213 · see citing works
Report on thermal comfort and building energy studies in Jakarta—Indonesia
Karyono, T. H. (2000) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/s0360-1323(98)00066-3 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Overall thermal sensation, acceptability and comfort
Zhang, Y., & Zhao, R. (2007) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.11.036 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
A field study of the thermal comfort in residential buildings in Harbin
Wang, Z. (2005) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.04.020 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Thermal comfort in residential buildings – Failure to predict by Standard model
Becker, R., & Paciuk, M. (2008) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.06.011 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Thermal comfort and behavioural strategies in office buildings located in a hot-arid climate
Cena, K., & de Dear, R. (2001) · Journal of Thermal Biology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4565(01)00052-3 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Investigation on the impacts of different genders and ages on satisfaction with thermal environments in office buildings
Choi, J.-H., Aziz, A., & Loftness, V. (2010) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.01.004 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Sex Differences in Human Thermoregulatory Response to Heat and Cold Stress
Burse, R. L. (1979) · Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society · doi:10.1177/001872087912210606 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Thermal sensation of Hong Kong people with increased air speed, temperature and humidity in air-conditioned environment
Chow, T. T., Fong, K. F., Givoni, B., Lin, Z., & Chan, A. L. S. (2010) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.03.016 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Why do Women Suffer from Sick Building Syndrome more often than Men? - Subjective Higher Sensitivity versus Objective Causes
Brasche, S., Bullinger, M., Morfeld, M., GEBHARDT, H. J., & Bischof, W. (2001) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1034/j.1600-0668.2001.110402.x · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Thermal comfort standards for air conditioned buildings in hot and humid Thailand considering additional factors of acclimatization and education level
Yamtraipat, N., Khedari, J., & Hirunlabh, J. (2004) · Solar Energy · doi:10.1016/j.solener.2004.07.006 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
People's clothing behaviour according to external weather and indoor environment
De Carli, M., Olesen, B. W., Zarrella, A., & Zecchin, R. (2007) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.06.038 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Differences in perception of indoor environment between Japanese and non-Japanese workers
Nakano, J., Tanabe, S., & Kimura, K. (2002) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/s0378-7788(02)00012-9 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Field study on occupant comfort and the office thermal environment in rooms with displacement ventilation
Melikov, A. K., Pichurov, G., Naydenov, K. G., et al. (2005) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00337.x · Cited by 147 · see citing works
A field study of thermal environments and comfort in office buildings
Schiller, G., Arens, E. A., Bauman, F. S., et al. (1988) · eScholarship (California Digital Library) · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Combined effects of temperature and noise on human discomfort
Pellerin, N. (2003) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0031-9384(02)00956-3 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Effects of steady-state noise and temperature conditions on environmental perception and acceptability
Pellerin, N., & Candas, V. (2004) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1046/j.1600-0668.2003.00221.x · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Thermal comfort study of an air-conditioned lecture theatre in the tropics
Cheong, D. K. W., Djunaedy, E., Chua, Y. L., Tham, K. W., Sekhar, C., Wong, N. H., & Ullah, M. B. (2002) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/s0360-1323(02)00020-3 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Thermal sensation and comfort with different task conditioning systems
Amai, H., Tanabe, S., AKIMOTO, T., & Genma, T. (2006) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.07.043 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
A Field Survey of the Expected Desirable Thermal Environment for Older People
Wong, L. T., Fong, K. N. K., Mui, K. W., Wong, W. W. Y., & Lee, L. W. (2009) · Indoor and Built Environment · doi:10.1177/1420326x09337044 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Thermal regulation and comfort during a mild-cold exposure in young Japanese women complaining of unusual coldness
Nagashima, K., Yoda, T., Yagishita, T., Taniguchi, A., Hosono, T., & Kanosue, K. (2002) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00399.2001 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Comparison between male and female subjective estimates of thermal effects and sensations
BESHIR, M. Y., & Ramsey, J. D. (1981) · Applied Ergonomics · doi:10.1016/0003-6870(81)90091-0 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Gender differences in thermal comfort and mental performance at different vertical air temperatures
Hashiguchi, N., Feng, Y., & Tochihara, Y. (2009) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-009-1158-7 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Spot Monitoring: Thermal comfort evaluation in 25 office buildings in winter
Kuchen, E., & Fisch, M. N. (2008) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.06.023 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Epidemiology of sick building syndrome and its associated risk factors in Singapore.
Ooi, P. L., Goh, K. T., Phoon, M. H., et al. (1998) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oem.55.3.188 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Results of an Ergonomic Investigation of Large-Space Offices
Němeček, J., & Grandjean, E. (1973) · Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society · doi:10.1177/001872087301500203 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Thermal discomfort with cold extremities in relation to age, gender, and body mass index in a random sample of a Swiss urban population
Mozaffarieh, M., Gasio, P. F., Schötzau, A., Orgül, S., Flammer, J., & Kräuchi, K. (2010) · Population Health Metrics · doi:10.1186/1478-7954-8-17 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Ambient temperatures preferred by young European males and females at rest
GRIVEL, F., & CANDAS, V. (1991) · Ergonomics · doi:10.1080/00140139108967320 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Gender-related difference in sweat loss and its impact on exposure limits to heat stress
Mehnert, P., Bröde, P., & Griefahn, B. (2002) · International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics · doi:10.1016/s0169-8141(02)00073-2 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Field study of occupant comfort and office thermal environments in a cold climate
Donnini, G., Nguyễn, V. H., Lai, D.-H., et al. (1997) · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · Cited by 60 · see citing works
The effects of gender, age, and fatigue on susceptibility to draft discomfort
Griefahn, B., & Künemund, C. (2001) · Journal of Thermal Biology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4565(01)00050-x · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Thermal comfort in warm and humid atmospheres: Observations on groups and individuals in Singapore
Ellis, F. P. (1953) · Journal of Hygiene · doi:10.1017/s0022172400015813 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Field study on thermal comfort in Malaysia
Ismail, H. M., & Rahman, M. H. A. (2009) · European journal of scientific research · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Spontaneous magnitude estimation of thermal discomfort during changes in the ambient temperature
Wyon, D. P., Andersen, I., & Lundqvist, G. R. (1972) · Journal of Hygiene · doi:10.1017/s0022172400022269 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Cold extremities and difficulties initiating sleep: evidence of co‐morbidity from a random sample of a Swiss urban population
Kräuchi, K., Gasio, P. F., Vollenweider, S., von Arb, M., Dubler, B., Orgül, S., Flammer, J., & Stutz, E. Z. (2008) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2869.2008.00678.x · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Combined effects of noise and temperature on human comfort and performance
Tiller, D. K., Wang, L. M., Musser, A., et al. (2010) · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Environmental and human factors influencing thermal comfort of office occupants in hot—humid and hot—arid climates
Erlandson, T., Cena, K., de Dear, R., & Havenith, G. (2003) · Ergonomics · doi:10.1080/0014013031000085707 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Gender (in)difference in private offices: A holistic approach for assessing satisfaction and personalization
Dinç, P. (2008) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.10.006 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Prevalence of irritative symptoms in a nonproblem air-conditioned office building
Muzi, G., Abbritti, G., Accattoli, M. P., et al. (1998) · International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health · doi:10.1007/s004200050295 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Influences of clothing types on metabolic, thermal and subjective responses in a cool environment
Lee, J., & Choi, J. (2004) · Journal of Thermal Biology · doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2004.02.006 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
The Correlation Between PMV and Dissatisfaction on the Basis of the ASHRAE and the McIntyre Scale — Towards an Improved Concept of Dissatisfaction
von Grabe, J., & Winter, S. (2008) · Indoor and Built Environment · doi:10.1177/1420326x08089364 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Perception of Foot Temperature in Young Women with Cold Constitution: Analysis of Skin Temperature and Warm and Cold Sensation Thresholds
Sadakata, M., & Yamada, Y. (2007) · Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY · doi:10.2114/jpa2.26.449 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
A thermal comfort field survey in the cool season of Zambia
Sharples, S., & Malama, A. (1997) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/s0360-1323(96)00063-7 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Gender differences and non-thermal factors in thermal comfort of office occupants in a hot-arid climate
Erlandson, T., Cena, K., & de Dear, R. (2005) · Elsevier ergonomics book series · doi:10.1016/s1572-347x(05)80043-6 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Relationship between gender role, anger expression, thermal discomfort and sleep onset latency in women
von Arb, M., Gompper, B., Meyer, A. H., Stutz, E. Z., Orgül, S., Flammer, J., & Kräuchi, K. (2009) · BioPsychoSocial Medicine · doi:10.1186/1751-0759-3-11 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Perception and Sensitivity to Horizontal Turbulent Air Flows at the Head Region
Todde, V. (2000) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1034/j.1600-0668.2000.010004297.x · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Sick building syndrome symptoms — Different prevalences between males and females
Lenvik, K. (1992) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/0160-4120(92)90206-j · Cited by 10 · see citing works
An experimental study on human sensation to airflow in naturally ventilated rooms
Ishii, A., Sakakibara, N., KATAYAMA, T., et al. (1990) · Environment International · doi:10.1016/0160-4120(90)90206-l · Cited by 4 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Sorted by citations

A review of human thermal comfort in the built environment
Rupp, R. F., Vásquez, N. G., & Lamberts, R. (2015) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.07.047 · Cited by 907 · see citing works
Individual difference in thermal comfort: A literature review
Wang, Z., de Dear, R., Luo, M., Lin, B., He, Y., Ghahramani, A., & Zhu, Y. (2018) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.04.040 · Cited by 675 · see citing works
Personalized conditioning and its impact on thermal comfort and energy performance – A review
Veselý, M., & Zeiler, W. (2014) · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2014.03.024 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Drivers of diversity in human thermal perception – A review for holistic comfort models
Schweiker, M., Huebner, G. M., Kingma, B. R. M., Kramer, R., & Pallubinsky, H. (2018) · Temperature · doi:10.1080/23328940.2018.1534490 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
The influence of local effects on thermal sensation under non-uniform environmental conditions — Gender differences in thermophysiology, thermal comfort and productivity during convective and radiant cooling
Schellen, L., Loomans, M. G. L. C., de Wit, M. H., Olesen, B. W., & Lichtenbelt, W. D. V. M. (2012) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.07.008 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Thermal comfort of heterogeneous and dynamic indoor conditions — An overview
Mishra, A. K., Loomans, M. G. L. C., & Hensen, J. L. M. (2016) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.09.016 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Revisiting individual and group differences in thermal comfort based on ASHRAE database
Wang, Z., Zhang, H., He, Y., Luo, M., Li, Z., Hong, T., & Lin, B. (2020) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110017 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Associations of occupant demographics, thermal history and obesity variables with their thermal comfort in air-conditioned and mixed-mode ventilation office buildings
Rupp, R. F., Kim, J., de Dear, R., & Ghisi, E. (2018) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.02.049 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Thermal sensitivity of occupants in different building typologies: The Griffiths Constant is a Variable
Rupp, R. F., Kim, J., Ghisi, E., & de Dear, R. (2019) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.07.048 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Predicting thermal comfort in office buildings in a Brazilian temperate and humid climate
Forgiarini Rupp, R., & Ghisi, E. (2017) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.039 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Local cooling in a warm environment
Pallubinsky, H., Schellen, L., Rieswijk, T. A., Breukel, C. M. G. A. M., Kingma, B. R. M., & van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. D. (2016) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.12.016 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Assessment of Indoor Air Quality and Users Perception of a Renovated Office Building in Manchester
Fahad Alomirah, H., & Moda, H. M. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17061972 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Development of thermal discernment among visitors: Results from a field study in the Hermitage Amsterdam
Mishra, A. K., Kramer, R. P., Loomans, M. G. L. C., & Schellen, H. L. (2016) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.05.026 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Diurnal change in psychological and physiological responses to consistent relative humidity
Kakitsuba, N., Chen, Q., & Komatsu, Y. (2020) · Journal of Thermal Biology · doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102490 · Cited by 9 · see citing works

Authors: Karjalainen, S.
Affiliations: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (FI)
Corresponding author: Karjalainen, S.
ORCID: Karjalainen, S.
Venue: Indoor Air
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2011-11-01
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Pages: 96-109
ISSN: 0905-6947 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00747.x
OpenAlex: W2132554361
Cited by: 536
References: 63
Citations by year: 2026: 55 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 51 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 1.69
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 1400 d)
Locations: Indoor Air (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Building Energy and Comfort Optimization
Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Keywords: thermal comfort, gender differences, indoor thermal environment, neutral temperature, thermal sensitivity
MeSH terms: Animals, Body Temperature Regulation, Cold Temperature, Environment, Female, Male, Sensation, Sex Characteristics, Temperature

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Thermal comfort and gender: a literature review

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks