The study of perceived thermal sensation in housing allows designers to set design guidelines for thermal occupancy based on the perception of the dwellers. Previous research work suggests that the adaptation of people in hot climates is determined by preferences according to their socioeconomic and cultural class, based on their type of housing. A comparison is presented between two investigations into thermal comfort carried out in Mérida, Yucatán, México, in a warm humid climate. The dwellers were residents of self-produced economic housing. The adaptive approach was used, with the ISO 10551 (1995) standard as a basis. Dry bulb temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity and wind humidity were monitored. The neutral temperature was estimated using the Intervals Means of Thermal Sensation Method, and preference, acceptance and tolerance of thermal environment were compared. The results of both investigations show variations in the neutral temperature and thermal comfort ranges, as well as significant differences in the level of adaptation, experience and expectation, even when the thermal environment conditions present similarities.
Perceived thermal sensation; Psychological adaptation; Acclimatization; Low-cost housing; Self-produced housing; Warm humid climate
