Evaluating thermal comfort models in high-altitude rural areas of the Peruvian Andes

Authors

  • Enrique Mejía-Solís Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5512-1286
  • Judith Hernández-Rodríguez Subnational GFP, Cusco, Perú https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3465-263X
  • Jorge Soria-Navarro Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru
  • Victor Ramos-Abensur Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4120-7097
  • Briggith Lujan-Chumbiray Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru
  • Rodrigo Alegría-Quijada Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru
  • Miriam Ancco-Peralta National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco, Cusco, Peru
  • Lizbeth Peñafiel-Yupanqui National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco, Cusco, Peru
  • Silvia Onnis Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0066-9495
  • Martin Wieser Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4556-3507

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22320/07190700.2025.15.02.03

Keywords:

rural housing, mountain housing, social housing, habitability conditions

Abstract

Cold indoor environments in rural Andean housing raise concerns about thermal comfort, yet the applicability of existing comfort models to these contexts remains insufficiently examined. This study has compared predictions from five thermal comfort models, including PMV, aPMV, and regional approaches, against field data. Data were collected from 154 residents of Langui (3,969 m.a.s.l.) through culturally adapted surveys and environmental measurements. The aPMV model showed the highest agreement with thermal sensation votes, achieving 58.4% accuracy (±1 category), and enabled the definition of a comfort range between 14 °C and 25 °C. The results emphasize the need for local design criteria that address cold indoor conditions in Andean housing.

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Author Biographies

Enrique Mejía-Solís, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Master in Innovation and Technology Management and Policy
Lecturer- Researcher Rural Sector Support Group

Judith Hernández-Rodríguez, Subnational GFP, Cusco, Perú

Bachelor in Anthropology
Community Relations Specialist, Swiss Cooperation Program

Jorge Soria-Navarro, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering
Technology Manager

Victor Ramos-Abensur, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering
Researcher/Project Designer, Rural Sector Support Group

Briggith Lujan-Chumbiray, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Bachelor in Public Management
Independent Researcher

Rodrigo Alegría-Quijada, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Bachelor in Psychology
Independent Researcher

Miriam Ancco-Peralta, National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco, Cusco, Peru

Bachelor in Architecture
Independent Researcher

Lizbeth Peñafiel-Yupanqui, National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco, Cusco, Peru

Bachelor in Architecture
Independent Researcher

Silvia Onnis, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Master in Architecture
Full-time Teacher, Department of Architecture

Martin Wieser, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

Doctor in Energy and Environment in Architecture
Teacher-researcher, Department of Architecture

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Mejía-Solís, E., Hernández-Rodríguez, J., Soria-Navarro, J., Ramos-Abensur, V., Lujan-Chumbiray, B., Alegría-Quijada, R., Ancco-Peralta, M., Peñafiel-Yupanqui, L., Onnis, S., & Wieser, M. (2025). Evaluating thermal comfort models in high-altitude rural areas of the Peruvian Andes. Sustainable Habitat, 15(2), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.22320/07190700.2025.15.02.03

Issue

V.15, N.2 (2025): December 2025

Section

Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Enrique Mejía-Solís, Judith Hernández-Rodríguez, Jorge Soria-Navarro, Victor Ramos-Abensur, Briggith Lujan-Chumbiray, Rodrigo Alegría-Quijada, Miriam Ancco-Peralta, Lizbeth Peñafiel-Yupanqui, Silvia Onnis, Martin Wieser

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