Assessing impacts on occupant quality of life and productivity!
Researchers at Rutgers University are conducting a behavior research study focused on occupant behavior in response to changes in the indoor environment. The Load Shedding survey project addresses the effects of load shedding activities on energy consumption, personal well-being, and productivity.
Several load shedding events were administered at PPPL in September and October 2012. Lighting and HVAC conditions were altered in select buildings of the lab during these events. Researchers assessed occupant responses to lower lighting and the adjusted thermal comfort levels.
A total of 93 occupants participated in the study lab-wide and were involved in answering a number of survey questions. Each survey addressed occupant well-being and productivity with a variety of questions. Researchers hoped to determine if occupants noticed the change in conditions, and if this change had an immediate effect on the quality of work, personal health, and overall well-being of the occupant.
Other survey questions included: 'How do you FEEL this morning?' 'How would you rate your QUALITY OF WORK this morning?' 'How satisfied are you with the overall AIR QUALITY in your workspace?' 'Are you satisfied with your ELECTRICAL LIGHTING this morning?' 'How satisfied are you with the TEMPERATURE in your workspace?'
Survey responses were comparatively analyzed with temperature and humidity sensor data collected from various locations in areas of load shedding activity.
The total energy savings was also calculated and identified for analysis on energy consumption. As seen here, in the case of one lab-wide load shedding event, significant savings in energy are evident.
Participants were also asked to complete a survey that addressed the building to see if it was performing to its design intentions. The purpose of this survey is to assist the researchers at Rutgers Center for Green Building in understanding how buildings affect occupant satisfaction and performance, and how occupants affect building performance measures such as energy and water use, and indoor environmental quality.
To learn more about research by Rutgers University contact the Project Coordinator, MaryAnn Sorensen Allacci at maryann.sa@rutgers.edu!
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