Study of Thermal Comfort and the Adaptive Behaviors of the Elderly in Naturally Ventilated Houses

Authors

  • Sudaporn Sudprasert Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12121 Thailand

Keywords:

Adaptive behavior, Environmental controls, Comfort temperature, Hot and humid climate

Abstract

The elderly’s adaptive behaviors to achieve thermal comfort is expected to play important roles in the housing designs under hot and humid climate. This research aims to investigate the adaptive behaviors of the elderly and their thermal comfort in naturally ventilated residential houses in Pathum Thani, Thailand. The 90 data sets are collected through questionnaires in 25 houses during the summer. The subjects include people with early old age (60-74 years old) who live with their families. The regression analysis on the survey data finds the subjects’ comfort temperature of 29.0 °C. There are 86% of the residents accept thermal environment of their own houses. The elder preferred a circulating fan to the air conditioner besides planting trees to provide shade. One or two circulating fans are always operated because of limitation of air ventilation from windows and doors. The subjects are active through behavioral adjustments to achieve thermal comfort during the warm day. Subjects choose drinking of cold water and taking shower several times instead of turning on air conditioner.

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References

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Published

2020-12-29

How to Cite

Sudprasert, S. (2020). Study of Thermal Comfort and the Adaptive Behaviors of the Elderly in Naturally Ventilated Houses. International Journal of Building, Urban, Interior and Landscape Technology (BUILT), 16, 73–82. Retrieved from https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/BUILT/article/view/242394

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Section

Research Article