The project aims to overcome uncertainties in predicting energy consumption of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) and lighting services in open plan offices by developing an integrated approach to study the cause-effect relationship between occupants and combined indoor environmental factors (thermal, visual, air quality and noise).

The impulse behind the dynamic and multivariable behavior of occupants will be identified through the field study with the implementation of point-in-time mobile questionnaires coupled with IEQ (indoor environmental quality) measurements.

As a result, this project will reveal the major driving factors behind occupants’ most commonly reported actions towards improving their comfort such as adjusting blinds, operating windows, and dimming the lights. Establishing the correlation between IEQ parameters and actions of occupants is indeed the key factor in helping to outline the major behavioral drivers and major IEQ parameters that influence the energy performance of buildings.