Eli5: Why does 60 degrees inside feel way cooler than 60 degrees outside?

Question

Assuming no wind 60 degrees outside feels decently warm however when the ac is set to 60 degrees I feel like I need a jacket.

In: 3186

Answer 1

People have hit on some things here, but not the most important thing. What we call heat is not a single thing. There are three different types of heat energy that have different properties. Inside, we almost exclusively have access to the least efficient type (IR-C). Outside in the sun, we experience almost entirely IR-A and IR-B, both of which are much more efficient at penetrating the skin, so it heats us much more deeply. As a result, we feel much warmer in the same temperature in sunlight than we do indoors.