UNLABELLED
This paper analyzes the relation between temperature satisfaction ratings expressed on a questionnaire and unsolicited complaint rates recorded in a maintenance database. The key findings are as follows: (i) the satisfaction ratings and complaint rates are negatively correlated with a moderate magnitude (r(s) = -0.31 to -0.36), and the correlation is statistically significant (P = 0.01-0.005), and (ii) the percent dissatisfied with temperature and the complaint rate are positively correlated with moderate magnitude (r(s) = 0.31-0.36), and the correlation is statistically significant (P = 0.01-0.004). Both data sets contain 'real-world' measures of temperature satisfaction, with the complaints contributing directly to the cost of operations and maintenance. The relationship between two validates a new method of assessing the economic cost of thermal discomfort in commercial buildings.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Complaints in commercial buildings indicate occupants' dissatisfaction to their environments. It not only deteriorates occupants' performance and organization productivity, but also increases building maintenance and operating cost. Nailing economic consequences of complaints will enable monetary comparison of discomfort cost with building and operating costs. This comparison may be desirable for building owners and tenants to make well-informed decisions on construction, rental, and retrofit. It may also be used to evaluate complaint diagnostic and eliminating techniques.
[1]
Bernice W. Polemis.
Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
,
1959
.
[2]
J. Pearl.
Causality: Models, Reasoning and Inference
,
2000
.
[3]
P. Fanger.
Calculation of Thermal Comfort, Introduction of a Basic Comfort Equation
,
1967
.
[4]
A. Rosenfeld,et al.
Estimates of Improved Productivity and Health from Better Indoor Environments
,
1997
.
[5]
Standard Ashrae.
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
,
1992
.
[6]
P. O. Fanger,et al.
Thermal comfort: analysis and applications in environmental engineering,
,
1972
.
[7]
C. Federspiel,et al.
Predicting the Frequency and Cost of Hot and Cold Complaints in Buildings
,
2000
.