Multi-domain indoor environmental quality in buildings: A review of their interaction and combined effects on occupant satisfaction

• Published in: Building and environment Vol. 228; p. 109844
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yijin, Li, Da
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2023
• Subjects: Combined effects; Indoor environmental quality; Interaction effects; Occupant satisfaction; Occupant satisfaction; Interaction effects; Combined effects; Indoor environmental quality
• ISSN: 0360-1323; 1873-684X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109844

Occupant satisfaction is influenced by the interaction and combined effects of multi-domain indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in buildings. While there are literature reviews on multi-domain IEQ, two limitations exist: 1) the reviewed IEQ interactions are mainly limited to two IEQ domains and climate chamber studies; and 2) those reviews have not quantitatively discussed the impact of IEQ interactions on overall satisfaction and only cover limited building types. To address this gap, this study adopts a broad, top-down approach with a three-stage screening to select relevant publications about the four most concerned IEQ domains—thermal comfort, acoustic comfort, visual comfort, and indoor air quality. A total of 74 publications have been selected and reviewed. Our study shows that: 1) existing findings on IEQ interaction and combined effects are inconsistent and somewhat contradictory; 2) interactions among three IEQ domains exist but are much less examined compared to two IEQ interactions. Studies on four IEQ are not found; 3) the current occupant satisfaction models are mainly generalized models. Personal models are an emerging area of research and practice; and 4) the one-vote veto effect exists, i.e., some IEQ domains show a predominating influence on overall satisfaction. We advocate future research 1) to collaborate on a global IEQ database to enable model comparison and the development of standards and guidelines spanning multiple IEQ domains, 2) to investigate personal overall satisfaction models encompassing IEQ interactions; and 3) to further examine non-linear modeling approaches for interpreting the relationships between IEQ and overall satisfaction. •Existing research on IEQ interaction and combined effects are inconsistent.•Three and four IEQ interactions are much less examined, reasons are discussed.•Future research should consider impacts of IEQ interactions on overall satisfaction.•Personal comfort model involving the IEQ interactions is a future direction.•Multi-domain IEQ standards and guidelines require collaboration and data sharing.