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

For comfort and survival it matters more that we can shed heat generated by metabolism to the environment. If it’s humid, sweat can’t evaporate as well. If the air is moving, each bit of air heated by the body gets replaced. Sunshine can directly add heat.

At least you touched on the more important aspect in the question: why does it *feel* warmer or cooler. Human perception is not a thermometer. Things feel warm or cool depending on the heat transfer rate, like for 50F air vs 50F water.