Evaluation Model of Individual Thermal Comfort Based on Mean Skin Temperature

The local skin temperatures of 22 subjects at air temperatures of 21, 24, 26, 29℃ are measured, and the mean skin temperatures are calculated by ten skin temperature measuring points. The thermal comfort levels and the thermal sensations of these subjects are also investigated by a questionnaire. The Mahalanobis distance discrimination method is applied to establish the evaluation model for the thermal comfort based on the mean skin temperature. The experimental results indicate that the difference of the mean skin temperatures between the comfort level and the discomfort level is significant. Using the evaluation model, the mean skin temperature at the thermal comfort level is 32.6 to 33.7℃, and the thermal comfort levels of 72% of the subjects are correctly evaluated. The accuracy of the evaluation model can be improved when the effects of sex of the subject on the mean skin temperature and the thermal comfort are considered. It can be concluded that the mean skin temperature can be used as an effective physiological indicator to evaluate human thermal comfort in a steady thermal environment.