Evaluating Human Physiological Parameters and Thermal Responses to Sudden Temperature Change across Different Age-Groups: A Case Study of a Shopping Mall in Shenyang, China

Abstract

Shopping malls are large buildings and thus have extremely high heating or cooling costs and energy requirements. This study explored the response patterns of human physiological parameters to sudden temperature changes (temperature difference >30 °C) at moderate activity levels in a Shenyang shopping mall. The temperature was set to −12 °C for cold conditions and indoor temperature conditions were set to 18 and 24 °C. Fifty participants underwent hot—cold—hot room temperature exposure. The following results were observed for short-duration stays in the shopping mall. (1) When the temperature difference between hot and cold environments was >30 °C and the indoor temperature did not exceed 24 °C, 12–18 min on average was required for the body to reach a new physiological equilibrium. Children required less time to return to a steady state than other age-groups. (2) Children, adolescents, and young adults preferred indoor temperature conditions of 18 °C, whereas middle-aged adults preferred a slightly warmer environment. Thus, in view of the excessively high indoor temperature of the mall, its temperature should be maintained within a range that not only conserves energy but also provides human comfort.