Gender-based study on indoor thermal comfort in Kuwait during autumn and winter

Thermal comfort is essential for indoor occupant comfort, satisfaction, and productivity. However, thermal comfort in hot, arid educational buildings is less studied than in tropical ones. Over 90% of people in hot, arid countries like Kuwait stay indoors. Since students spend more time at school than elsewhere, cozy interior thermal conditions are essential. This study examined the thermal preferences, clothing styles, and thermal comfort of male and female Australian University (AU) students in Kuwait during hybrid air-conditioned modes. Three hundred twenty-five male and female AU students aged 20–30 were surveyed, while environmental variables were measured for thermal and desired building comfort. Test experiments used male and female students in classrooms, labs, and workshops. Environmental, demographic, and heat perception data were collected via questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Inferential statistics showed variables’ relationships and descriptive statistics showed data patterns. The two-tailed independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, Welch’s, and regression analysis were used to test the study hypotheses. The post hoc test identified statistically significant groups after ANOVAs. The study measured the thermal sensation vote (TSV) over time, calculated the mean TSV and predicted mean votes (PMV), and statistically related personal warmth preferences to gender, dressing, and other variables. The Kuwait Energy Code (MEW/R-7) mean comfort temperature of 21°C interior design temperature was feasible. This study’s comfort temperature is 5°C, cooler than previous research in tropical and subtropical classrooms.