The impact of Chinese wellness habits on cooling-related behaviors of urban residents

Space cooling is a rapidly growing energy use due to climate change and the pursuit of better living conditions. In urban China, the penetration of household air conditioners has exceeded 80% since 2000 contributing to a significant increase in household energy use.

This study explores how wellness habits influence cooling-related behaviors. An online survey was conducted among Chinese urban residents aged 18 to over 60, covering different human geography regions. Data on demographics, wellness habits, cooling behaviors, and thermal comfort were collected, yielding 2183 valid questionnaires.

Path analysis results revealed that in high-latitude regions with distinct seasons, wellness habits led to more frequent window use and less reliance on night air conditioning. In contrast, in low-latitude subtropical areas, it was too hot to reduce air conditioner use and increase window opening. Multi-group analysis further confirmed the varied impacts of wellness habits across regions.

This study enhances the understanding of socio-cultural drivers in indoor thermal adaptation. The findings highlight the interplay between cultural health practices and climate realities in cooling strategies, offering insights for designing adaptive, energy-efficient and user-tailored cooling systems.