jaue2016075: Questionnaire Survey on the Window Opening Behavior and Air-conditioner Use in Detached Houses

Abstract

Japanese traditional wooden houses were designed for increasing openness and airiness for the purpose of cooling their rooms in the summer. However, highly-insulated airtight houses have been recently spreading in the main land and Kyushu, in addition to cold regions. When ambient air enters a room, the air-conditioning burden augments. Accordingly, highly-insulated airtight houses are based on the assumption that residents live under the comfortable temperature and humidity conditions with their windows closed. However, there are various factors that make human beings feel comfortable, and so even if the temperature and humidity of a living room are controlled by an air-conditioner, not all of people feel comfortable. 
Nakano1), Tsubota2), et al. have already conducted questionnaire surveys about the opening and closing of windows and the use of air-conditioners, and it was inferred that residents’ behavior, including the opening and closing of windows and the use of air-conditioners, varies considerably according to times and regions. 
The purpose of this study is to carry out a questionnaire survey in Kitakyushu City and elucidate the recent situations of residents’ behavior of opening or closing windows and using air-conditioners and the factors related to the behavior of opening or closing windows.