Evaluating Occupant Feedback on Indoor Environmental Quality in Educational Environments

Abstract

AbstractBuildings play a significant role toward meeting ambitious energy and emissions reduction targets by improving energy efficiency and enhancing indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Studies have indicated that good IEQ can enhance occupants' health, wellbeing, and productivity. Occupant feedback surveys are beneficial for gathering end-user perceptions and determining occupant requirements for efficient building operations and management. Identifying gaps in building performance provides opportunities to ensure that occupant IEQ needs are better addressed during the operations phase. This paper presents the results of occupant feedback surveys administered at an educational institution in the US. The 435 survey responses were analyzed to draw out the key findings in relation to the IEQ, occupant behavior, and occupant satisfaction. From the survey responses relating to temperature preferences, 65.5% of the participants indicated that they preferred temperatures between 20 °C (68 °F) and 21.67 °C (71 °F) in the winter. Overall, 48.1% were moderately dissatisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied with the thermal conditions in their office. The source of discomfort for most occupants was the inability to control the temperature since the thermostat was inaccessible or controlled by others. Occupant mean satisfaction with other IEQ parameters (i.e., lighting, air quality, and noise) are discussed. This paper also elucidates the critical factors from the occupant feedback surveys pertaining to IEQ in their work environments. It provides recommendations to improve IEQ and occupant satisfaction during the operations phase. Effective communication between the end-user and the building operations and maintenance department can potentially improve occupant satisfaction and lower energy consumption.