Field Survey of Air Conditioner Temperature Settings in Hot, Humid Climates, Part 1: Questionnaire Results on Use of Air Conditioners in Houses During Sleep

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the use of air conditioners in houses in Surabaya, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The objective of the survey was to clarify what temperature and humidity levels people in these regions prefer in order to feel comfortable, with special focus on their sleeping environment. This was determined through survey responses and by measuring the thermal environments in their bedrooms. The questionnaire file was distributed to 64 university students in Surabaya and 65 in Kuala Lumpur. The students interviewed their family members and described their own experiences in their daily lives at home. The survey results show that the respondents set their air conditioners at very low temperatures. They also show that more than half of the respondents reported a cold or cool thermal sensation while using the air conditioner. Many respondents also reported various health problems and feeling cold while they were sleeping.

Effects of Changing Air Temperature at Different Sleep Stages on the Subjective Evaluation of Sleep Quality

“…Consequently, the neutral bedroom temperature recommendations from numerous institutions, such as the European standard (21-25.5 • C) [12], might not effectively provide sufficient sleep quality. Further evidence is provided by several studies that reported experiences of poor sleep quality resulting from thermal dissatisfaction while sleeping in air-conditioned bedrooms [13,14]. A possible explanation for the widely experienced sleep quality issues in air-conditioned bedrooms is that people set their sleeping thermal environment based on their thermal sensation in the waking state.…”

“…For example, a study conducted in Hong Kong revealed that 332 out of 554 respondents experienced poor sleep quality despite setting the air temperature to their preference prior to sleeping [13]. Similarly, a survey in Indonesia reported health complaints as a result of low temperatures at night even though the occupants chose their preferred temperature while in their waking state [14].…”

Complication–simplification spiral in hygrothermal research

“…However, I performed a field survey on the set point temperature of air conditioners and comfort sensation in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Oman. 57,58 One of the reasons for the survey is that the rapid spread of air conditioners and the accompanying increase in energy use in Southeast Asian and Middle East countries are highly important from a worldwide viewpoint. However, the main and stronger motivation was my experience of cold environments in the hotels and shopping centers in Southeast Asia, and I desired to know the reason why the people in hot regions wanted such low temperatures (cold for me!).…”

A Fuzzy Logic-Based Automation toward Intelligent Air Conditioning Systems

“…Without sacrificing thermal comfort levels, by increasing the setpoint of 22.2 °C (72 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F), an average of 27% total HVAC energy savings were attained [15]. Also, various health problems might arise from improper indoor temperature settings [16] [17]. Determining the indoor temperatures using air conditioners have been subjective from one person to another [18].…”