Sex differences in thermal sensation and EEG responses during thermal transitions in non-neutral thermal environments within buildings

The personalized comfort model (PCM) offers a promising approach to improving building energy efficiency by integrating individual physiological differences. However, sex-based variability in thermal perception remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated subjective thermal sensation votes (TSVs) and electroencephalogram (EEG) responses of male (n = 16) and female (n = 16) participants during transitions between warm – cool (PMV +2 → −2) and cool – warm (PMV −2 → + 2) environments. Significant sex differences (p m = −1.15) and females (TSVf = −2.15) reported approximately a one-unit difference on the TSV scale immediately after entry. EEG analysis revealed significant sex differences (p The correlation between TSV and EEG further confirmed that EEG activity reflects subjective thermal perception. These findings demonstrate that EEG can serve as a physiological indicator of thermal comfort and underscore the importance of sex-specific approaches in developing personalized thermal comfort models. Abbreviations: PCM: personalized thermal comfort model; EEG: electroencephalogram; PMV: predicted mean vote; TSV: thermal sensation vote; TCV: thermal comfort vote; RLB: Relative Low Beta; RMB: Relative Middle Beta; SMR: Sensory MotRhythm; DOE: Design of Experiments; HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning; ECG: Electrocardiogram; ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; EOG: Electrooculogram