Research on the coupling effect of lighting and thermal environment under learning behavior

• Coupling effect of lighting and thermal factors under learning behavior was studied. • A model integrating thermal and visual comfort and learning efficiency was developed. • PMV had the biggest impact on learning efficiency, whereas illumination had the least. • 4400–4900 K and 500–800 lx under a PMV of 0.26 create the best learning environment. Influence of multi-factor interaction on the comfort and learning efficiency are gradually receiving attention. Therefore, the interaction of PMV, color temperature and illuminance, and their effects on the lighting comfort, thermal comfort and learning efficiency under the learning behavior of college students was selected as the objective of study. Interestingly, 60 subjects were selected to conduct questionnaire survey and cognitive tests on the comfort of thermal and lighting environments. The comprehensive comfort factor model was developed to obtain the comprehensive comfort scores and rankings. Furthermore, the optimal learning environment suitable for college students were proposed. The results showed that the PMV has the greatest effect on the overall comfort perception of learning behavior, followed by color temperature and the lowest effect of illuminance. When the PMV is 0.87, it is appropriate to utilize a combination of high color temperature and high illuminance. Conversely, when the PMV is between 0.26 and -0.11, it is good to employ a combination of medium-high color temperature and medium-high illuminance. Conversely, in situations where the PMV is -0.54, a combination of low to medium color temperature and medium to high illuminance is acceptable. Similarly, a combination of low color temperature and medium illuminance is suitable for a PMV of -0.94. The most comfortable learning environment for college students is a combination of high color temperature 4400–4900 K and medium to high illuminance 500–800 lx at a PMV of 0.26.