Thermal comfort expectations and adaptive behavioural characteristics of primary and secondary school student

This Australian study explores how primary and high school students perceive and respond to classroom temperatures during the summer months. Based on nearly 5,000 thermal comfort surveys, the findings indicate that children prefer cooler indoor temperatures than those predicted for adults—by approximately 2–3°C. The study also shows that students have a wider range of acceptable thermal conditions than adults, meaning they can tolerate more temperature variation while remaining comfortable. However, as classroom temperatures rise, students increasingly rely on air conditioning and fans rather than passive cooling strategies like opening windows, adjusting blinds, or changing clothing. Primary school students were more adaptable in adjusting their clothing based on temperature changes, whereas high school students showed little clothing adaptation. Additionally, students in air-conditioned classrooms were less likely to engage in other thermoregulatory behaviors. These insights emphasize the importance of considering children’s unique thermal comfort needs in classroom design and climate control strategies.