Heated debate: why some feel colder than others in air-conditioned spaces

It’s something most of us have experienced in the office and even at home. So why do we sometimes feel colder than those sitting right next to us when we’re in air-conditioned rooms?

We’re heading into spring, and over the next few months the heating will gradually cool to air conditioning. However, there are a number of reasons why some are more sensitive to cooler temperatures than others.

Historical bias

Women are often the coldest in air conditioning, according to a 2016 study in the journal Nature Climate Change. The study notes that temperatures in many office buildings are based on a formula developed in the 1960s that employs the resting metabolic rate of a 154-pound, 40-year-old man. Of course, today’s workforce is much different, but the usual air conditioning temperature isn’t.

Body composition

As suggested in the 2016 Nature Climate Change study, body composition – especially muscle mass – plays a big role in how people are affected by different temperatures. We have sensors in our skin that detect and respond to temperature. Those with a higher percentage of body fat may experience temperature differently due to their body’s composition acting as insulation.

Blood circulation

When it’s cold, skin will vasoconstric to maintain the core body temperature around the brain and heart. This means the blood vessels will reduce blood supply to the skin’s surface and the body’s extremities like fingers, toes, and the nose. A person’s blood circulation can impact this.