Analysis of Factors Affecting Showering Comfort

- Comparison between Japan and Taiwan -

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that enhance showering comfort, except water flow, analyzing how to assess showering comfort. In this paper, we tried to describe “comfortable conditions” using shower feeling perceptions in Japan and Taiwan. In addition, we compared and reviewed these factors. We conducted shower tests with 9 showerheads and assessed the perception and comfortableness of each shower feeling. We analyzed the assessment data using factor analysis and linear regression analysis, Japanese and Taiwanese comfortableness, and the perception regarding spray stimulation represented by quadratic functions. Furthermore, we looked at Japanese comfortableness and the perception regarding warmth of spray, Taiwanese comfortableness and the perception regarding water stream density. The results show that the factors that enhance showering comfort are warmth of spray in Japan, water stream density in Taiwan, and spray stimulation in Japan and Taiwan. Furthermore, it was considered that these factors were affected by the bathing habits of the respective countries.