Field survey of the thermal comfort, quality of sleep and typical occupant behaviour in the bedrooms of Japanese houses during the hot and humid season

Abstract

In order to investigate the thermal comfort, quality of sleep and behaviour of the occupants of Japanese bedrooms in the hot and humid season, we have measured the air temperature and relative humidity in the 26 bedrooms of 10 houses, and conducted a thermal comfort, depth of sleep and occupant behaviour survey with 31 residents, obtaining 1176 votes. The mean indoor air temperature in the rooms during the survey period was 26.3–27.9°C. The residents sleep in the bedrooms, where the indoor air temperature is high. The mean comfort temperature is 26.4–27.1°C. The thermal comfort of residents is high and the depth of sleep is normal for the given thermal environment. The results showed that residents are thermally satisfied and slept well in the bedrooms using various thermal adjustments, such as cooling, fans, windows and clothing insulation.