Colour as a tool to manipulate indoor thermal perception in tropical upland climate : a field experiment implemented in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Incorporating warm colours in the interiors of tropical uplands characterissed by a cold climatic condition, was hypothesised to help the inhabitants to perceive the indoor thermal environment as comparatively warmer, compensating the heating costs to a considerable extent. A preliminary field experiment was executed to investigate the impact of a warm colour (red - Cranberry Zing) and a cool colour (Duck egg blue) on indoor thermal perception in tropical upland climate with reference to Thalawakele, Sri Lanka. Substantiating the hypothesis, participants consistently perceived the red room to be comparatively warmer (90% - warm and 10% - slightly warm) while the blue room was perceived to be even cooler by 93.5% (64.5% - cool/ 29% - slightly cool) and neutral by 6.5%. Ability of red colour to induce a comparatively warm ‘perceived’ indoor thermal condition against the ‘real’ thermal condition in tropical upland climate could be potentially developed as an alternative hybrid remedy for energy conservation.