Indoor thermal environment and adaptive behaviors in summer of urban households in northern China: Status and trend

Space cooling is one of the fastest growing end-uses globally due to climate change and upgraded living standards. However, existing studies were insufficient on human's adaptation to hot summer indoors other than in tropical or subtropical climate, hindering efficient cooling in buildings. This study examined the indoor thermal environment and adaptive behaviors in summer of urban households in northern China, to add new data and ideas in temperate climate. The meta-analysis review, online questionnaire survey, and national statistical databases were used to investigate thermal demand, device basis, and behavior modes of northern urban households. In addition, path analyses demonstrated the formation and dynamics of adaptive behaviors under social practice theories. Results showed that northern households got 2 degrees C hotter in summer since the new century, being close to southern cases. The penetration of air conditioners in urban China was 85%, which approached developed countries after the rapid growth since 2000, enabling affordable cooling at home. Although northern urbanites, particularly middle-aged or elderly people, were not addicted to air conditioning, young people, who adopted less frequently wellness habits, tended to rely on air conditioners and paid more power bills in summer. The findings will facilitate future studies on efficient cooling solutions.