Short answer

Increase summer cooling setpoints in shopping malls to around 26-27°C to achieve significant energy savings while maintaining high levels of user thermal comfort.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Sustainability (2025)
Method: Field Study and Questionnaire
Evidence: Strong effect

Elevating indoor temperatures in shopping malls during summer can significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising user thermal comfort, with acceptable temperatures reaching up to 27.55°C. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability. Using Field study and questionnaire, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Increase summer cooling setpoints in shopping malls to around 26-27°C to achieve significant energy savings while maintaining high levels of user thermal comfort.

Study

Human FactorsNew This WeekStrong effect

Optimizing Shopping Mall Temperatures: Balancing Comfort and Energy Savings in Hot Climates

Sustainability · 2025

Key Findings

01The measured average operative temperature was 26.4°C, with a derived thermal neutral temperature of 25.26°C from user votes, significantly higher than model predictions.
02A broad range of acceptable temperatures was identified, with peak satisfaction noted at 27.55°C based on thermal comfort votes.
03Energy savings of up to 25.77% are achievable by adjusting temperature setpoints within acceptable comfort ranges.
04Women reported higher clothing insulation values (0.36 clo) compared to men (0.31 clo), indicating potential gender-based differences in thermal perception.
05Peak user satisfaction with air quality and thermal comfort occurred at an operative temperature of 26.93°C.

Application

Design takeaway

Increase summer cooling setpoints in shopping malls to around 26-27°C to achieve significant energy savings while maintaining high levels of user thermal comfort.

How to apply

When designing or retrofitting commercial buildings in hot climates, conduct user surveys and environmental measurements to establish locally relevant thermal comfort parameters for energy optimization.

Project actions

01When researching thermal comfort, consider conducting field studies in real-world environments.
02Use a combination of objective measurements and subjective user feedback for a comprehensive understanding.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the optimal indoor thermal parameters for balancing user comfort and energy efficiency in Chinese shopping malls during summer?

MethodField Study and Questionnaire

ProcedureResearchers conducted field measurements of indoor environmental parameters (air temperature, operative temperature, CO2 concentration, relative humidity) and administered questionnaires to assess thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and air quality satisfaction among shoppers in a Chinese shopping mall during summer. Data were analyzed to determine acceptable temperature ranges and energy-saving potential.

ContextCommercial retail environments (shopping malls) in China during summer.

Variables

IV["Indoor air temperature","Operative temperature","Clothing insulation"]

DV["Thermal sensation vote (TSV)","Thermal comfort vote (TCV)","Thermal acceptance vote (TAV)","Predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD)","Energy saving potential","Air quality satisfaction"]

CV["Location (shopping mall)","Climate (hot summer)","Time of year (summer)","CO2 concentration","Relative humidity"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes real-world field measurements.
+Combines objective data with subjective user feedback.
+Addresses a practical problem of energy consumption in commercial buildings.

Limitations

The comfort levels and energy savings might differ in different geographical locations or for different types of buildings.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced by using calibrated measuring instruments and consistent questionnaire administration. Validity is supported by the use of established thermal comfort metrics (TSV, TCV, PPD) and direct user feedback in a naturalistic setting.

Think critically

How might cultural differences influence thermal comfort preferences, and how could this impact the generalizability of these findings to other regions?

Design Principles

"Local user thermal perception data should inform environmental control strategies for optimized comfort and energy efficiency."

This research provides actionable data for designers and facility managers to adjust HVAC setpoints, leading to substantial energy savings in commercial spaces. Understanding the nuanced thermal preferences of users, beyond standard model predictions, is crucial for creating more sustainable and user-friendly environments.

What This Means for Your Design

You can make places like malls warmer in the summer to save energy, and people will still feel comfortable. The study found that people liked it warmer than expected.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying design decisions related to HVAC setpoints or environmental control strategies aimed at energy efficiency and user comfort.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that local thermal comfort preferences can deviate significantly from standardized model predictions, offering opportunities for energy savings. For instance, a field study in Chinese shopping malls found that increasing operative temperatures to approximately 26-27°C maintained high levels of user satisfaction while enabling substantial energy reduction, suggesting that design strategies should incorporate localized user data for optimal environmental control.

Source

Sustainability

Determining Indoor Parameters for Thermal Comfort and Energy Saving in Shopping Malls in Summer: A Field Study in China

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about optimizing shopping mall temperatures: balancing comfort and energy savings in hot climates?: Increase summer cooling setpoints in shopping malls to around 26-27°C to achieve significant energy savings while maintaining high levels of user thermal comfort. Evidence: Sustainability (2025).
Why does "Optimizing Shopping Mall Temperatures: Balancing Comfort and Energy Savings in Hot Climates" matter for design?: This research provides actionable data for designers and facility managers to adjust HVAC setpoints, leading to substantial energy savings in commercial spaces. Understanding the nuanced thermal preferences of users, beyond standard model predictions, is crucial for creating more sustainable and user-friendly environments.
How can designers apply this research?: Increase summer cooling setpoints in shopping malls to around 26-27°C to achieve significant energy savings while maintaining high levels of user thermal comfort.
What were the main findings?: The measured average operative temperature was 26.4°C, with a derived thermal neutral temperature of 25.26°C from user votes, significantly higher than model predictions.. A broad range of acceptable temperatures was identified, with peak satisfaction noted at 27.55°C based on thermal comfort votes.. Energy savings of up to 25.77% are achievable by adjusting temperature setpoints within acceptable comfort ranges.. Women reported higher clothing insulation values (0.36 clo) compared to men (0.31 clo), indicating potential gender-based differences in thermal perception.
What research method was used?: Field Study and Questionnaire.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or retrofitting commercial buildings in hot climates, conduct user surveys and environmental measurements to establish locally relevant thermal comfort parameters for energy optimization.
What are the limitations?: Findings are specific to the studied climate and mall type; generalizability to other regions or building typologies may vary. The study focused on summer conditions.