Thermal comfort investigation of rural houses in China: A review. (1st May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Jinhao; Lu, Jun; Deng, Wu; Beccarelli, Paolo; Lun, Isaac Yu Fat
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 235(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05-01
• Subjects: Rural houses -- Thermal comfort -- Climate zone -- Thermal comfort approach; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110208
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Researchers have conducted extensive research on the thermal environments of rural houses worldwide. The greatest number of studies on thermal comfort in rural areas have been conducted in China. However, no studies have reviewed or summarised the literature. This paper summarises the literature from three perspectives: climate zones, thermal comfort approach, and other factors (wind speed, humidity, and building construction) that influence thermal comfort. The research commenced by categorising and examining all relevant papers based on climatic comfort and thermal comfort approaches to find commonalities and differences. The limits of existing thermal comfort standards were then inspected. Finally, suggestions for further research on rural thermal comfort were provided. Our conclusion was that thermal comfort temperature is influenced by various factors. Further research on the thermal comfort of older adults is required, especially in rural areas. The Adaptive Thermal Comfort model was more suitable for rural housing than the Rational Thermal Comfort model. Large-scale studies on thermal comfort in rural houses are required to establish specific thermal comfort standards. Wind speed and humidity are two aspects that require further research in rural thermal comfort. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: This is the first paper that examines past research on thermal comfort field investigation in rural houses. Summarising the thermally neutral temperature and thermal comfortable temperatures of rural residents across different in China. Comparing the results of applying different thermal comfort approaches to rural dwellings.