Work

An investigation of the relationships between indoor environmental conditions, thermal comfort and wellbeing of older occupants: Impact of frailty level

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: With a continuous increase of the proportion of low socio-economic older people in society, ensuring that their living environment is thermally comfortable and conducive to maintain their health and wellbeing, particularly in the face of climate change, has become a pressing issue. This study reports on the relationships between indoor environmental quality parameters, occupants’ characteristics, thermal adaptive behaviours, thermal comfort and perceived wellbeing of low socio-economic older people living independently in South Australia. Primary data were derived from indoor environmental monitoring and occupant surveys over a 9-month period in 42 households involving 53 occupants. In particular, the study examined whether differences exist in those relationships between those identified to be ‘frail’ (n = 33) and ‘non-frail’ (n = 20). The results demonstrate that there are statistically significant differences between the two cohorts in their thermal adaptive behaviours and thermal comfort, expressed as thermal sensation, preference and satisfaction, as well as their thermal acceptability and perception of wellbeing in relation to their thermal environment. The findings suggest that current and future frailty of older people must be considered in housing design and modifications.

Source: Building and Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113594

Authors: Veronica Soebarto, Terence Williamson, Larissa Arakawa Martins, Renuka Visvanathan, Dino Pisaniello

Institution: The University of Adelaide

Language: English

Topic: Building Energy and Comfort Optimization

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,280