Skin temperature and thermal perceptions over the day: a case study in a hybrid-ventilated living lab

This study assesses the dynamic relations between thermal perceptions and skin temperatures across the day in a hybrid-ventilated office environment. Data were collected during the morning (from 9:00 up to 12:00) and afternoon (from 13:30 up to 16:00) across the summer, autumn, and winter. Through the experiments, participants reported their thermal perceptions of the environment every 30 minutes via online surveys. Results indicated that mean skin temperatures were influenced by time of day and participants’ gender, with afternoon temperatures generally higher than morning temperatures. Results also supported that the skin temperatures of female subjects varied more rapidly according to the operative temperature, especially during the afternoon. Finally, participants tended to prefer warmer conditions when skin temperatures were lower and vice -versa. The findings emphasize the complex interplay between thermal comfort, occupants’ gender, and circadian rhythms, highlighting the importance of in-depth characterizations of occupants’ thermal preferences.