Comparative evaluation of the link between measured and perceived indoor environmental conditions in naturally and mechanically ventilated office environments

Abstract

This paper uses a case study-based approach to comparatively evaluate the relationship between measured and perceived indoor environmental conditions in two office buildings, one naturally ventilated (NV) and one mechanically ventilated (MV) located in southeast England. Environmental parameters (indoor and outdoor relative humidity (RH), CO2 and indoor and outdoor temperature) were continuously monitored at 5 minute intervals over a period of 19 months (March 2017 to September 2018). During the monitoring period, occupant satisfaction surveys (snapshot and longitudinal) were conducted to record occupant perceptions of their working environment, including thermal comfort, resulting in approximately 2600 survey responses from each case study.In the NV office, CO2 levels were high (>2000ppm) and indoor temperature was both high (>27°C) and variable (up to 8°C change). The MV office environment was found to operate within much narrower indoor temperature, RH and CO2 bands. This was evident in the little seasonal variation observed in the indoor CO2 levels in the MV office; whereas in the NV office, CO2 concentrations were over 1400 ppm for 20% of the working hours during the heating seasons and decreasing to 3% in the non-heating seasons, when windows were frequently opened. Occupants were found to have different levels of tolerance to measured indoor temperatures - neutral thermal sensation votes corresponded to a higher indoor temperature in the NV building, indicating the role of adaptation. Insights from the study can help in improving indoor environments of NV and MV offices.