The Influence of Thermal Disposition on the Thermal Comfort of Users of Mixed-Mode Buildings in a Subtropical Climate

Thermal comfort in mixed-mode buildings is challenging due to individual differences in perception, particularly in humid subtropical climates. In Florianópolis, Brazil, dynamic indoor conditions influence occupants’ thermal perception and adaptation. This study investigates how thermal disposition shapes comfort perception. A total of 1032 responses from heat-sensitive users and 733 from cold-sensitive users were collected through electronic questionnaires. The data were analysed using Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), Actual Mean Vote (AMV), and a linear mixed-effects model. Although both groups exhibited average PMV values within the ASHRAE 55 comfort range, their subjective evaluations differed significantly: heat-sensitive users reported warmer sensations, whereas cold-sensitive users reported cooler sensations under similar conditions. Among heat-sensitive users, the PMV–AMV correlation was moderate and strongest under air-conditioning, whereas it was weak and non-significant for cold-sensitive users. Dissatisfaction levels frequently exceeded 20% among heat-sensitive users. Adaptive comfort analysis indicated that most observations fell within acceptability limits for mixed-mode buildings. The mixed-effects model confirmed that thermal disposition significantly moderates the relationship between operative temperature and thermal sensation. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating individual thermal sensitivity into occupant-centred comfort assessments.