Thermal comfort investigation of rural houses in China: A review

Researchers have conducted extensive research on the thermal environments of rural houses worldwide. The greatest number of studies on thermal comfort in rural areas have been conducted in China. However, no studies have reviewed or summarised the literature. This paper summarises the literature from three perspectives: climate zones, thermal comfort approach, and other factors (wind speed, humidity, and building construction) that influence thermal comfort. The research commenced by categorising and examining all relevant papers based on climatic comfort and thermal comfort approaches to find commonalities and differences. The limits of existing thermal comfort standards were then inspected. Finally, suggestions for further research on rural thermal comfort were provided. Our conclusion was that thermal comfort temperature is influenced by various factors. Further research on the thermal comfort of older adults is required, especially in rural areas. The Adaptive Thermal Comfort model was more suitable for rural housing than the Rational Thermal Comfort model. Large-scale studies on thermal comfort in rural houses are required to establish specific thermal comfort standards. Wind speed and humidity are two aspects that require further research in rural thermal comfort.