University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
New Residence Hall
LEED Credit 7.2 Thermal Comfort Plan
I. Intent:
To meet LEED Commercial Interiors credit 7.2 Thermal Comfort, Verification, the University of
Wisconsin – La Crosse (UW-L) plans to administer occupant surveys and adjust HVAC parameters to
enhance building comfort for occupants.
This Thermal Comfort Plan addresses occupant surveys, the scheduling of surveys, and how UW-L will
respond to survey results.
II. Occupant Thermal Comfort Survey:
After a period of approximately 12-18 months of occupancy, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UWL) will begin conducting periodic thermal comfort surveys of its students and employees within the new
residence hall to determine their overall comfort level and satisfaction. The UW-L survey was
constructed following the ANSI /ASHRAE Standard 55-2007 sample survey.
The survey will be conducted anonymously on line or through hard copies distributed at mandatory hall
resident or staff meetings. The preference will be on-line completion using a survey tool designed by
Qualtrics or a comparable web based software. In lieu of on-line surveys, UW-L may use a Scantron®
survey or comparable tool to improve survey response.
Respondent names will be optional on every survey. This option is provided to enhance
customer/stakeholder service in cases when the respondent desires to discuss their specific comfort
concern(s). The survey form will provide building occupants a contact person telephone number and email for any lingering concerns.
The UW-L Thermal Comfort Corrective Action Plan will be implemented if 20% or more of the
respondents are dissatisfied with the thermal comfort of their building.
UW-L will regulate an overall temperature of 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the heating season and
72-74 degrees Fahrenheit during the cooling season in the office/administrative areas. The HVAC
system in the building will be continually monitored and controlled by an Andover Direct Digital
Control (DDC) Energy Management System. The system provides alerts to UW-L HVAC technicians
when a set point is exceeded. This system and timely response by UW-L HVAC technicians will greatly
enhance UW-L’s ability to achieve thermal comfort for building occupants.
UW-L will provide an objective and systematic process for all students/employees to provide honest
feedback about their individual thermal comfort so as to assist the UW-L HVAC staff or consultants in
making necessary adjustments.
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 1 of 12
Specific focuses of the survey will center on:
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Respondent status: student or employee
Individual satisfaction with temperature in their area
Rating of the quality of air, air flow and humidity
Floor and general area occupied by the student or employee
Type of clothing worn
Ability of the employee/student to adjust or control:
– window blinds
– thermostats
– heaters
– air conditioning
– floor or ceiling vents
Impact of thermal comfort on daily activities within their occupied space
Thermal comfort sections of the survey will be based on a seven-point scale ranging from +3 (very
satisfied) to -3 (very dissatisfied).
While the overall focus and intent of thermal comfort are aimed at employee satisfaction, the
environmental, societal and fiscal costs of fuel consumption and energy use is also a major
consideration. UW-L will aim to balance employee/student satisfaction while regulating energy use.
III. Schedule of Surveys:
Because different seasons activate different HVAC systems in the building, the survey will be
administered at least once per heating and cooling season. As reasonably allowed, UW-L management
will select historically hot or cold portions of the season to conduct the survey. Surveys will not be
conducted from June through August because the building will likely have low occupancy during
periods outside the academic year.
IV. Responses to Survey Results:
UW-La Crosse management will share summary results of the periodic thermal comfort survey with all
building occupants living or working in the Residence Hall. The summary will be provided via e-mail
as an attachment or a web-based link.
If greater than 20% of survey respondents express dissatisfaction with building comfort, the survey
report will identify the concern(s), provide a layman’s summary on the engineering/maintenance
evaluation and corrective actions take or to be taken. All items of merit will be corrected in a timely
manner.
Survey recipients will also be provided with a contact person e-mail and telephone number to address
any lingering concerns.
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 2 of 12
V. Survey:
The survey form will include the following questions. Formatting will be necessary to meet data
management requirements for on-line software or manual scanning equipment.
Thermal Comfort Survey - Eagle Hall
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Eagle Hall and the Office of Residence Life
Thermal Environment Satisfaction Survey
UW-L’s Office of Residence Life strives to provide you a high quality living, learning and working environment.
Your willingness to complete this thermal environmental satisfaction survey provides us with valued data that
enhances our ability to assure your comfort.
This survey is anonymous. When tabulated, survey results will be communicated via Campus Connection with
survey results being posted at http://www.uwlax.edu/fpm/sustainability/initiatives/thermalcomfort.htm.
Please note that survey questions do not identify thermal comfort concerns in a specific room. If you have
specific concerns please identify the room number(s) and issue(s) in the comment section at the end of this
survey. If you prefer, you can report thermal comfort or other facility concerns directly to your Resident
Assistant, Hall Director or the Office of Residence Life at (608) 785-8075 or reslife@uwlax.edu.
Thanks for providing your valued input!
Q1 Select the group that best represents your connection with Eagle Hall.
 Eagle Maroon Resident (last two digits of room number end in 16 through 31) (1)
 Eagle Gray Resident (last two digits of room number end in 01 through 15) (2)
 Staff or student worker employed in Eagle Hall (3)
If Eagle Maroon resident Is selected, then skip to Q2. If Eagle Gray resident is selected, then skip to Q15. If staff
or student worker employed in Eagle Hall is selected, then skip to Q28.
Q2 On what floor is your residence hall room?
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First (1)
Second (2)
Third (3)
Fourth (4)
Fifth (5)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 3 of 12
Q3 How many hours per week do you normally spend in Eagle Hall?
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More than 50 hours (1)
30 to 50 hours (2)
15 – 30 hours (3)
Less than 15 hours (4)
Q4 While in Eagle Hall what is your normal activity level?
 Light activity (mostly sitting) (1)
 Medium activity (standing, bending, stooping, walking) (2)
 Heavy activity (exercise, physical labor) (3)
Q5 While In your room, which direction are window(s) facing?
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East (1)
West (2)
North (3)
South (4)
Q6 Does sunlight passing through windows cause any thermal discomfort? (Thermal comfort is a
combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
 Yes (1)
 No (2)
Q7 How satisfied are you with the current indoor temperature in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q8 How satisfied are you with the current humidity levels in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 4 of 12
Q9 How satisfied are you with the current level of air circulation in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q10 Based on your attire/clothing, which temperature sensation best describes your current thermal comfort
in Eagle Hall? (Thermal comfort is a combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
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Hot (uncomfortable) (1)
Warm (2)
Neutral (3)
Cool (4)
Cold (uncomfortable) (5)
Q11 If you currently experience thermal discomfort (uncomfortable), which of the following days/times of
day does this occur? Check all that apply.
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I am content with the current thermal comfort in Eagle Hall (1)
Monday through Friday (2)
Saturday or Sunday (3)
Between 8:00 AM and Noon (4)
Between Noon and 6:00 PM (5)
Between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM (6)
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM (7)
Q12 Does Eagle Hall’s indoor building temperature, humidity or air flow negatively impact your residential
experience?
 No (1)
 Yes (2)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 5 of 12
Q13 Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your primary living space? (Check all that
apply.)
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Window blinds or shades (1)
Portable heater (2)
Door to interior space (3)
Portable fan (4)
Clothing (i.e., sweater) (5)
Turning off equipment (i.e., computer, desk lighting) (6)
None (7)
Other (8) ____________________
Q14 Please provide any other desired comments on thermal comfort in Eagle Hall.
After completing Q14 skip to final.
Q15 On what floor is your residence hall room?
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First (1)
Second (2)
Third (3)
Fourth (4)
Fifth (5)
Q16 How many hours per week do you normally spend in Eagle Hall?
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More than 50 hours (1)
30 to 50 hours (2)
15 – 30 hours (3)
Less than 15 hours (4)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 6 of 12
Q17 While in Eagle Hall what is your normal activity level?
 Light activity (mostly sitting) (1)
 Medium activity (standing, bending, stooping, walking) (2)
 Heavy activity (exercise, physical labor) (3)
Q18 While In your room, which direction are window(s) facing?
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East (1)
West (2)
North (3)
South (4)
Q19 Does sunlight passing through windows cause any thermal discomfort? (Thermal comfort is a
combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
 Yes (1)
 No (2)
Q20 How satisfied are you with the current indoor temperature in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q21 How satisfied are you with the current humidity levels in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 7 of 12
Q22 How satisfied are you with the current level of air circulation in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q23 Based on your attire/clothing, which temperature sensation best describes your current thermal comfort
in Eagle Hall? (Thermal comfort is a combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)





Hot (uncomfortable) (1)
Warm (2)
Neutral (3)
Cool (4)
Cold (uncomfortable) (5)
Q24 If you currently experience thermal discomfort (uncomfortable), which of the following days/times of
day does this occur? Check all that apply.
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I am content with the current thermal comfort in Eagle Hall (1)
Monday through Friday (2)
Saturday or Sunday (3)
Between 8:00 AM and Noon (4)
Between Noon and 6:00 PM (5)
Between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM (6)
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM (7)
Q25 Does Eagle Hall’s indoor building temperature, humidity or air flow negatively impact your residential
experience?
 No (1)
 Yes (2)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 8 of 12
Q26 Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your primary living space? (Check all that
apply.)








Window blinds or shades (1)
Portable heater (2)
Door to interior space (3)
Portable fan (4)
Clothing (i.e., sweater) (5)
Turning off equipment (i.e., computer, desk lighting) (6)
None (7)
Other (8) ____________________
Q27 Please provide any other desired comments on thermal comfort in Eagle Hall.
After completing Q27 skip to final.
Q28 Where are the majority of your work duties performed?
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Office of Residence Life Administrative Wing (1)
Eagle Maroon (2)
Eagle Gray (3)
Throughout Eagle Hall (4)
Q29 On what floor is your primary work space?
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Basement (1)
First (2)
Second (3)
Third (4)
Fourth (5)
Fifth (6)
Throughout Eagle Hall (7)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 9 of 12
Q30 If you spend the majority of you Eagle Hall work time in an office, how is the office configured?
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I do not spend much work time in an office (1)
Open (no walls) (2)
Partitioned (one-half walls) (3)
Enclosed (full walls) (4)
Q31 On any given work day, how many hours do you spend in Eagle Hall?
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Under 3 hours (1)
3 to 6 hours (2)
6 to 9 hours (3)
Greater than 9 hours (4)
Q32 On average, how many hours per week do you spend in Eagle Hall?
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More than 50 hours (1)
30 – 50 hours (2)
15 – 30 hours (3)
Less than 15 hours (4)
Q33 What is your normal activity level in Eagle Hall?
 Light activity (mostly sitting) (1)
 Medium activity (standing, bending, stooping, walking) (2)
 Heavy activity (exercise, physical labor) (3)
Q34 Does sunlight passing through windows cause any thermal discomfort? (Thermal comfort is a
combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
 Yes (1)
 No (2)
 Windows not present in primary work space(s) (3)
Q35 Which direction are window(s) facing?
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
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East (1)
West (2)
North (3)
South (4)
Windows not present in primary use space(s) (5)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 10 of 12
Q36 How satisfied are you with the current indoor temperature in Eagle Hall?
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q37 How satisfied are you with the current humidity levels in Eagle Hall?

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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q38 How satisfied are you with the current level of air circulation in Eagle Hall?

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
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Very Satisfied (1)
Satisfied (2)
Somewhat Satisfied (3)
Neutral (4)
Somewhat Dissatisfied (5)
Dissatisfied (6)
Very Dissatisfied (7)
Q39 Based on your attire/clothing, which temperature sensation best describes your current thermal comfort
in Eagle Hall? (Thermal comfort is a combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)





Hot (uncomfortable) (1)
Warm (2)
Neutral (3)
Cool (4)
Cold (uncomfortable) (5)
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 11 of 12
Q40 If you currently experience thermal discomfort (uncomfortable), which of the following days/times of
day does this occur? Check all that apply.







I am content with the current thermal comfort in Eagle Hall (1)
Monday through Friday (2)
Saturday or Sunday (3)
Between 8:00 AM and Noon (4)
Between Noon and 6:00 PM (5)
Between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM (6)
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM (7)
Q41 Does Eagle Hall’s indoor building temperature, humidity or air flow negatively impact your job
performance?
 No (1)
 Yes (2)
Q42 Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your primary work space? (Check all that
apply.)








Window blinds or shades (1)
Portable heater (2)
Door to interior space (3)
Portable fan (4)
Clothing (i.e., sweater) (5)
Turning off equipment (i.e., computer, desk lighting) (6)
None (7)
Other (8) ____________________
Q43 Please provide any other desired comments on thermal comfort in Eagle Hall.
After completing Q43 skip to final.
Final
Thank you for completing the Eagle Hall thermal comfort survey.
D. Sweetman, UW-La Crosse, 1/9/2013
Page 12 of 12