Correlating working performance with thermal comfort, emotion, and fatigue evaluations through on-site study in office buildings

Abstract

The primary objective of creating an indoor thermal environment is to ensure thermal comfort and to enhance the working performance of occupants, particularly in office buildings. This study investigates the factors influencing working performance and their interrelationships. Based on this, the influence mechanism and prediction model of working performance were investigated. An on-site study was conducted to assess indoor environment, thermal comfort, emotion, fatigue and working performance in office settings across different seasons. The findings indicate that the indoor environment and thermal comfort vary with the seasons. The working performance is affected by environment, thermal comfort, emotion and fatigue. Different facets of working performance relate to distinct cognitive abilities and exhibit various patterns of change. In terms of thermal sensations, cognition, perception, and attention generally improved under neutral or slightly warm conditions, whereas cold conditions seemed to enhance thinking. Furthermore, a model integrating thermal comfort, emotion, and fatigue with working performance was developed, offering deeper insights into the mechanisms influencing working performance. A predictive model for working performance was also established, incorporating thermal comfort, fatigue, and emotion as variables. The model achieved an R2 value of 0.749, with a MAE of 0.079 and a RMSE of 0.105. In the Total Sensitivity Index for working performance, values corresponding to thermal comfort, emotion, and fatigue are 0.648, 0.339, and 0.511, respectively. This implies that thermal comfort is the most critical factor influencing working performance. The insights derived from these studies can serve as valuable references for designing indoor thermal environments.