Will correlated colour temperature affect peoples' thermal sensation outside the laboratory?

Earlier studies have shown that low Correlated Color Temperature of lighting (CCT) may induce a warmer thermal sensation than high CCTs at the same ambient temperature. The current study investigated if the association between CCT and thermal sensation would persist when subjects worked on computers, were exposed for longer duration and when the study population included older subjects whose vision may have changed with age. The study was carried out in a climate chamber with controllable LED lighting and where CCT could be gradually changed. Generally, the association between CCT and thermal sensation was weak and not significant. However, at 22o C and short-term exposure, the results indicated that high CCT caused a cooler thermal sensation. This association disappeared with more prolonged exposure duration and when subjects worked on a computer. Comparison of responses to lighting exposure of the two groups of subjects with mean ages of 24 years and 44 years showed no difference in their perceived thermal sensation when the CCT was changed. However, the older group of subjects could not distinguish differences in CCTs above 4000 K.The findings suggest that the magnitude of the effect of lighting on thermal perception is modest and only visible under exceptional and tightly controlled conditions that do not mirror actual buildings.