Exploring Thermal Comfort and Dynamic Work Performance in a Different Transient Thermal Environment in Summer

This study aimed to explore human thermal perception and work efficiency in transient step-changes of thermal environment. An experiment was conducted in three different transient temperature conditions (34–22 °C, 34–26 °C and 34–30 °C). Eighteen healthy subjects were recruited to perform neurobehavioral tests and additional tests to replicate office work. Laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the effects of thermal environment on worker’s productivity. In the meantime, the individual differences in the perception and the complexity of the thermal environment were considered. The subjects filled out the thermal comfort questionnaires for a certain period of time. Finally, a quantitative relation was established between the thermal environment (thermal feeling voting) and the work efficiency of the personnel. The results revealed that thermal comfort caused by high, moderate and low temperature had an impact on workers’ productivity, and under three different transient step-changes of thermal environment, the workers’ productivity was varied at different stages in the short term.