Problem:
There is a significant difference in perception of indoor thermal comfort between men and women, with men demonstrating a strong preference lower temperatures than women, sometimes referred to as the ‘battle of the thermostat’. Research discussed in this episode shows that there is also a notable impact on productivity and cognitive performance, with women performing better at high temperatures than at low temperatures. At the same time in most modern office space, the settings for the indoor temperature are based on the physical characteristics of male occupants.
Key message:
Gender-specific responses of occupants to the indoor temperature should be taken into account, when designing temperature settings for gender mixed workplaces in order to increase productivity by setting the thermostat higher than current standards.
Speakers: Ksenia Petrichenko, Agne Kajackaite
Support: Aristeidis Tsakiris
https://c2e2.unepdtu.org/kms_object/battle-for-the-thermostat-energy-efficiency-and-gender-podcast/