Thermie

Have you ever wondered how we perceive thermal comfort indoors during summer? Studies have shown that individual perception of indoor environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity varies greatly from person to person.

As summertime temperatures continue to rise, indoor thermal comfort in housing has become a growing topic in both research and society. From studies of indoor temperatures in Swedish dwellings, we know that conditions can vary considerably during the warmer months. However, this does not necessarily affect us all equally — some may enjoy warmer indoor temperatures while others find them uncomfortable. Many individual and housing-related factors influence how the summer period is experienced.

To help fill this knowledge gap, an ongoing study in Gothenburg, Sweden uses this app to conduct targeted surveys among tenants in rental housing. The app uses the phone camera to scan an individually installed temperature sensor within the dwelling, allowing thermal comfort responses collected during the summer period to be linked to actual indoor conditions for research purposes. This linkage is unique and will provide invaluable data that can guide stakeholders and residents to better understand and manage indoor thermal comfort in the future.