Exploring the impact of perceived control on thermal comfort and indoor air quality perception in schools

Abstract

Perceived control, as an integral part of the psychological impact, can be considered an important factor in the adaptive thermal comfort model. With the aim of exploring the relationship between perceived control and thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) in school buildings, a three-month field study was conducted during the heating season involving 26 school classrooms in the Italian Province of Pisa. The experimental campaign was conducted by carrying out measurements of thermal and IAQ parameters. In addition to instrumental measurements, subjective analysis was carried out by collecting 859 questionnaires filled in by students concurrently with objective measurements. The study demonstrate that the thermal neutral temperatures of the occupants with and without perceived control are, respectively, 21.7 °C and 22.2 °C and that the enhancing influence of the perceived control on the thermal sensation decreases with the increase of indoor operative temperature. The study shows that the perception of IAQ by the occupants is inversely proportional to the operative temperature and CO2 concentration. Furthermore, it emerges that students with the perception of control express better subjective judgments regarding the IAQ. It is suggested to ensure environmental control in order to improve indoor comfort and decrease the energy demand for heating.