Thermal comfort and adaptive behaviour of the elderly: a systematic review

Abstract

Thermal comfort is linked to our health, well-being, and productivity. The thermal environment is one of the main factors that influence thermal comfort and, consequently, the productivity of occupants inside buildings. Meanwhile, behavioural adaptation is well known to be the most critical contributor to the adaptive thermal comfort model. This systematic review aims to provide evidence regarding indoor thermal comfort temperature and related behavioural adaptation. Studies published between 2010 and 2025 examining adaptive behaviour of the elderly people. According to the above literature review on the adaptive behaviour of the elderly, opening windows or closing windows, turning on or off air-conditioner and clothing insulation adjustment is the most common strategy for the elderly to adopt indoor thermal environment. In addition, older people tend to adopt indoor thermal environments by some behaviours without financial expenditure, such as opening or closing windows and clothing insulation adjustment. However, the elderly regard turning on the air conditioner as a priority strategy in the public space.