Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in skin temperature and thermal comfort of participants in a $19^\circ{C}$ room (the recommended room temperature in the winter) depending on age, sex and clothing weight. Subjects were divided into four groups (6 young males, 5 young females, 6 old males, 6 old females) and experimental trials consisted of three conditions: wearing underwear in a $19^\circ{C}$ room (19CUW), without underwear in a $19^\circ{C}$ room (19C), and without underwear in a $24^\circ{C}$ room (24C). The results indicated the following: 1) There were no significant differences in mean skin temperature based on age or sex, and the mean skin temperatures of the four groups were in the range of 32.4∼$34.0^\circ{C}$. 2) In the 19C condition, the skin temperatures of the hands and feet of old females were higher than those of the other three groups. 3) In terms of perceived thermal comfort, young females showed a tendency to feel the most uncomfortable. Both old and young groups agreed that the 24C condition was the most comfortable. 4) Relational coefficients between thermal comfort and skin temperatures were higher in the young group than in the old group. Furthermore, the perceived thermal comfort had a stronger relationship with mean skin temperatures than with local skin temperatures. 5) The mean skin temperatures of subjects who indicated they were 'comfortable' were in the range of 31∼$36^\circ{C}$ regardless of age or sex.
