A real scene experiment to explore the influences of thermal experience on human thermal comfort

The previous thermal experience could influence the current thermal sensation and thermal comfort. In reality, people can adjust their clothes, their activities and others to achieve to a relatively comfortable state, which is different to the study in a controlled chamber. The purpose of this study is to explore the regularity of thermal experience on human thermal sensation in the real scene. We recruited 56 subjects, and asked them to carry a portable instrument, which could self-record temperature and humidity with them wherever they go. At the same time, they were informed to fill in the questionnaires whenever they transform the sites or have some abrupt changes in thermal feelings. We found that there were significant individual differences of thermal experience in real scene. The influence of cold experience on the current thermal perception is more obvious. It is meaningful for further study on short-term thermal adaption in real scene.