Extract

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the role of non-thermal factors in comfort perception and builds on
the findings of the thermal comfort field study carried out in air-conditioned offices in Makati City
(Manila), Philippines. The analysis of the responses of the Filipino office workers indicated that some
conventional thinking about comfort preferences is open to question. The responses of the surveyed
office workers contradicted currently accepted thermal comfort theory and drew out questions on the
behavioural variables that affect thermal comfort perception, expectations and preferences. The ‘onedimensional’
classical thermal comfort theory has been to strictly provide and maintain a neutral
thermal state. However, it is suggested that responses of subjects in climatically controlled
environments have much to do with cultural, social and contextual dimensions, which have been
regarded by the prevailing comfort paradigm as secondary factors.

Just as thermal comfort research has been extended to include contributions from the disciplines of
social psychology, ergonomics and sociology to pay more attention to the interaction between people
and their environments, theories of practices, consumption and technology would also point out viable
directions to questions on dimensions of behaviour, user characteristics, expectations and preferences
of thermal environments. The findings of this study suggest that the associated behaviour towards
comfort impact energy consumption and are attributed to practices which are formed as a result of
social, cultural and personal conditions.
* Prins (1992) and Stern (1992)

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