ETF-equivalent quantification of lighting-related thermal perception shifts in young Japanese women under steady-state summer conditions

What the study found

Using existing chamber data from 54 women, the authors estimated how much lighting shifted thermal judgments, expressed as an equivalent temperature. Illuminance moved the estimate by up to about 1.7 °C between 250 and 1700 lx, but not in a consistent direction, and confidence intervals were wider than the range itself. Color temperature showed no supported link to thermal comfort, and skin temperature did not shift with lighting.

Limitations

Secondary analysis of one population (young Japanese women) with short exposures; the authors say the data cannot support lighting or HVAC control rules.

Neurodesign interpretation

Claims that warm or bright light makes rooms feel warmer, and so saves cooling energy, are not supported here; any cross-modal effect is small and uncertain.

Possible design implications

None yet. The result argues against using illuminance or color temperature to justify warmer or cooler HVAC setpoints.

Study design

Controlled exposure study (secondary analysis, climate chamber)

Population

Young women, Japan. Sample: 54.

Setting

Climate chamber at 26, 28 and 30 °C crossed with 30 combinations of illuminance (100 to 2900 lx) and color temperature (2800 to 5200 K); short near-neutral exposures, exact duration not stated in the abstract

Field

Lighting, Thermal environment

Mechanism

Multisensory congruence

Spatial variable

Light level, Light spectrum, Air temperature

Keywords

light level, light spectrum, air temperature, multisensory congruence

Notes and follow-up

Related records: ND-0001, ND-0011, ND-0037, ND-0099. Publisher and Crossref records give author initials only.