University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Eagle Hall Thermal Comfort Survey
Synopsis and Corrective Action Plan - September 2013
I.
Background
UW-La Crosse’s (UW-L) Eagle Hall earned LEED® Gold certification in May 2012. LEED, or Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design, is a national green building certification system. LEED provides third-party
verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at increasing performance, reducing
waste and improving quality of life. Sustainable strategies are incorporated in energy use, lighting, water and
material use and more. LEED certification was established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by
the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
As part of UW-L’s commitment to LEED certification UW-L administered a Thermal Comfort Survey to meet
LEED Indoor Environmental Quality credit 7.2, Thermal Comfort, Verification. Thermal comfort can be
defined in many ways. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 defines thermal comfort as: “the condition of mind that
expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment”. ISO 7730 defines thermal comfort as: "That condition of
mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment".
In the end, the Office of Residence Life operates residence halls under the principle that quality and
healthfulness in the residential experience can be enhanced through facility operations that effectively manage
thermal comfort (temperature, humidity and air flow) and indoor air quality (ventilation).
II.
Survey Results
A web-based Qualtrics survey was conducted from September 20 through October 13, 2013. The survey link
was distributed to all Eagle Hall residents and staff by the Office of Residence Life.
Questions 1-14 were answered by Eagle Maroon residents.
Questions 1 and 15-27 were answered by Eagle Gray residents.
Questions 1 and 28--43 were answered by staff or student workers employed in Eagle Hall.
1. Select the group that best represents your connection with Eagle Hall.
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Eagle Maroon Resident (last two digits of
room number end in 16 through 31)
43
42%
2
Eagle Gray Resident (last two digits of
room number end in 01 through 15)
55
53%
3
Staff or student worker employed in Eagle
Hall
5
5%
Total
103
100%
Page 1 of 17
2. On what floor is your residence hall room?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
First
6
14%
2
Second
11
26%
3
Third
10
23%
4
Fourth
11
26%
5
Fifth
5
12%
Total
43
100%
3. How many hours per week do you normally spend in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
More than 50 hours
26
60%
2
30 to 50 hours
16
37%
3
15 – 30 hours
1
2%
4
Less than 15 hours
0
0%
Total
43
100%
4. While in Eagle Hall what is your normal activity level?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Light activity (mostly sitting)
16
37%
2
Medium activity (standing,
bending, stooping, walking)
27
63%
3
Heavy activity (exercise,
physical labor)
0
0%
Total
43
100%
5. While In your room, which direction are window(s) facing?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
East
11
27%
2
West
25
61%
3
North
3
7%
4
South
2
5%
Page 2 of 17
6. Does sunlight passing through windows cause any thermal discomfort?
(Thermal comfort is a combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Yes
9
21%
2
No
34
79%
Total
43
100%
7. How satisfied are you with the current indoor temperature in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
10
23%
2
Satisfied
18
42%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
8
19%
4
Neutral
0
0%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
5
12%
6
Dissatisfied
2
5%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
43
100%
8. How satisfied are you with the current humidity levels in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
15
35%
2
Satisfied
22
51%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
1
2%
4
Neutral
2
5%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
3
7%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
43
100%
Page 3 of 17
9. How satisfied are you with the current level of air circulation in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
9
21%
2
Satisfied
23
53%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
7
16%
4
Neutral
2
5%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
2
5%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
43
100%
10. 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.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Hot
(uncomfortable)
2
5%
2
Warm
5
12%
3
Neutral
14
33%
4
Cool
18
42%
5
Cold
(uncomfortable)
4
9%
Total
43
100%
11. If you currently experience thermal discomfort (uncomfortable), which of
the following days/times of day does this occur? Check all that apply.
#
Answer
Response
%
1
I am content with the current thermal
comfort in Eagle Hall
20
50%
2
Monday through Friday
5
13%
3
Saturday or Sunday
4
10%
4
Between 8:00 AM and Noon
3
8%
5
Between Noon and 6:00 PM
8
20%
6
Between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM
8
20%
7
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM
9
23%
Page 4 of 17
12. Does Eagle Hall’s indoor building temperature, humidity or air flow
negatively impact your residential experience?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
No
38
88%
2
Yes
5
12%
Total
43
100%
13. Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your primary
living space? (Check all that apply.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Window blinds or
shades
36
84%
2
Portable heater
2
5%
3
Door to interior
space
17
40%
4
Portable fan
23
53%
5
Clothing (i.e.,
sweater)
38
88%
6
Turning off
equipment (i.e.,
computer, desk
lighting)
14
33%
7
None
0
0%
8
Other
3
7%
Other
1.
Air/Heat
2.
Thermostat
3.
Thermostat
Page 5 of 17
14. Please provide any other desired comments on thermal comfort in Eagle
Hall.
Text Response
1.
The circulation could be a little bit better. One side of the room is always colder than the other, making it harder for all
roommates to be comfortable.
2.
Common spaces in houses/hallways should be a little warmer
3.
It would be nice to be able to turn the temp. down a little more at night. Most of the time it gets really hot in our room at
night and it is uncomfortable. I have to use a fan to keep cool at night.
4.
The temp never stays where we set it on our controls. It's always at least 2 degrees hotter than it's set at.
5.
I think that the humidity level is too low
6.
It tends to get chilly in the common areas of Eagle.
7.
It would be convenient if the air conditioning could be lowered below 70 degrees. It becomes too hot in the room during
the day to be comfortable.
8.
The thermostat in my room does not seem to respond to changes that I make. It is always about 70.0*F in my room,
regardless of what I set the temperature to. I would also like to be able to turn the temperature down below 69.5*F. It can
get fairly hot at night and during the summer.
9.
Sometimes it's almost too cool inside (but that's coming from someone who is usually cold).
10. The air's a bit dry
11. I think we could possibly save some energy by keeping the common areas a bit warmer, perhaps 70 instead of 67.
12. Love Eagle Hall, Just wish residents had the opportunity to control room temperature inside their rooms. Bathrooms are
often chilly. Also, the main areas and outside of the elevator (4th floor) is usually cold.
15. On what floor is your residence hall room?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
First
9
17%
2
Second
13
25%
3
Third
14
27%
4
Fourth
7
13%
5
Fifth
9
17%
Total
52
100%
Page 6 of 17
16. How many hours per week do you normally spend in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
More than 50 hours
28
54%
2
30 to 50 hours
23
44%
3
15 – 30 hours
1
2%
4
Less than 15 hours
0
0%
Total
52
100%
17. While in Eagle Hall what is your normal activity level?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Light activity
(mostly sitting)
18
35%
2
Medium activity
(standing, bending,
stooping, walking)
34
65%
3
Heavy activity
(exercise, physical
labor)
0
0%
Total
52
100%
18. While In your room, which direction are window(s) facing?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
East
10
21%
2
West
4
8%
3
North
13
27%
4
South
21
44%
19. Does sunlight passing through windows cause any thermal discomfort?
(Thermal comfort is a combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Yes
3
6%
2
No
49
94%
Total
52
100%
Page 7 of 17
20. How satisfied are you with the current indoor temperature in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
16
31%
2
Satisfied
13
25%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
8
15%
4
Neutral
7
13%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
7
13%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
1
2%
Total
52
100%
21. How satisfied are you with the current humidity levels in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
19
37%
2
Satisfied
22
42%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
5
10%
4
Neutral
4
8%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
2
4%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
52
100%
22. How satisfied are you with the current level of air circulation in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
14
27%
2
Satisfied
18
35%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
10
19%
4
Neutral
4
8%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
4
8%
6
Dissatisfied
1
2%
7
Very Dissatisfied
1
2%
Total
52
100%
Page 8 of 17
23. 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.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Hot
(uncomfortable)
1
2%
2
Warm
8
15%
3
Neutral
24
46%
4
Cool
17
33%
5
Cold
(uncomfortable)
2
4%
Total
52
100%
24. If you currently experience thermal discomfort (uncomfortable), which of
the following days/times of day does this occur? Check all that apply.
#
Answer
Response
%
1
I am content with the current
thermal comfort in Eagle Hall
22
44%
2
Monday through Friday
9
18%
3
Saturday or Sunday
6
12%
4
Between 8:00 AM and Noon
4
8%
5
Between Noon and 6:00 PM
3
6%
6
Between 6:00 PM and 10:00
PM
13
26%
7
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00
AM
15
30%
25. Does Eagle Hall’s indoor building temperature, humidity or air flow
negatively impact your residential experience?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
No
45
87%
2
Yes
7
13%
Total
52
100%
Page 9 of 17
26. Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your primary
living space? (Check all that apply.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Window blinds or shades
39
75%
2
Portable heater
3
6%
3
Door to interior space
30
58%
4
Portable fan
11
21%
5
Clothing (i.e., sweater)
48
92%
6
Turning off equipment (i.e.,
computer, desk lighting)
20
38%
7
None
1
2%
8
Other
3
6%
Other
1.
room thermostat
2.
thermostat
3.
Open the window
Page 10 of 17
27. Please provide any other desired comments on thermal comfort in Eagle
Hall.
Text Response
1.
Please keep the heat levels down this upcoming winter. It's always so hot
2.
It's a bit dry and rather cold
3.
It's definitely better than any other hall! I LOVE IT :)
4.
I am enjoying everything about this Residence Hall.
5.
It feels lovely.
6.
It is a tad cold all the time throughout Eagle Gray
7.
It seems that although I turn down my thermostat, the room seems to remain the same temperature.
8.
The air circulation fan in Eagle Gray room 315A has not worked since we moved in. If we adjust the temperature on the
thermostat, the room temperature will not change at all. The room is very warm at night because of the lack of air flow.
9.
I get really warm when I sleep. I don't know if it's just because my comforter is just really warm or if I'm just used to my
room at home being really cool (around 65 degrees).
10. Sometimes the temperature is too cool.
11. More vents in the room. One is not enough for a big room with three people in it.
12. Every night I go to bed a little cold, but with blankets and my comforter it feels perfect. However, every single morning I
wake up nearly sweating. It gets very humid and warm in the rooms in the morning. It seems as though the air completely
stops. I would enjoy waking up feeling the air conditioning on rather than kicking all of the blankets off because I am so
uncomfortably hot.
13. Especially during the winter, it becomes obnoxiously warm at night. It is almost impossible to fall asleep. Since beds are
lofted, it takes forever for an open window to help. The open window tends to make things worse by forcing more hot air
as well.
14. The areas where the TVs are, are always like 60 degrees. Ok on paper that sounds warm, but it really isn't.
15. Our room gets stuffy if we leave the door closed for too long so we open up the window, but that might be a problem in
the winter
16. The difference between when the air is on and when it is off is annoying. It is hot when off and cold when on. It becomes
frustrating at night when trying to sleep because it turns on and off so frequently and has such a huge wind flow when on
28. Where are the majority of your work duties performed?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Office of Residence Life
Administrative Wing
0
0%
2
Eagle Maroon
3
60%
3
Eagle Gray
2
40%
4
Throughout Eagle Hall
0
0%
Total
5
100%
Page 11 of 17
29. On what floor is your primary work space?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Basement
0
0%
2
First
0
0%
3
Second
2
40%
4
Third
2
40%
5
Fourth
0
0%
6
Fifth
1
20%
7
Throughout Eagle
Hall
0
0%
Total
5
100%
30. If you spend the majority of you Eagle Hall work time in an office, how is the
office configured?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
I do not spend much work
time in an office
5
100%
2
Open (no walls)
0
0%
3
Partitioned (one-half walls)
0
0%
4
Enclosed (full walls)
0
0%
Total
5
100%
31. On any given work day, how many hours do you spend in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Under 3 hours
0
0%
2
3 to 6 hours
0
0%
3
6 to 9 hours
0
0%
4
Greater than 9
hours
5
100%
Total
5
100%
Page 12 of 17
32. On average, how many hours per week do you spend in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
More than 50 hours
4
80%
2
30 – 50 hours
1
20%
3
15 – 30 hours
0
0%
4
Less than 15 hours
0
0%
Total
5
100%
33. What is your normal activity level in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Light activity
(mostly sitting)
4
80%
2
Medium activity
(standing, bending,
stooping, walking)
1
20%
3
Heavy activity
(exercise, physical
labor)
0
0%
Total
5
100%
34. Does sunlight passing through windows cause any thermal discomfort?
(Thermal comfort is a combination of temperature, humidity and air flow.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Yes
0
0%
2
No
5
100%
3
Windows not
present in primary
work space(s)
0
0%
Total
5
100%
Page 13 of 17
35. Which direction are window(s) facing?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
East
2
40%
2
West
1
20%
3
North
1
20%
4
South
1
20%
5
Windows not
present in primary
use space(s)
0
0%
36. How satisfied are you with the current indoor temperature in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
0
0%
2
Satisfied
4
80%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
1
20%
4
Neutral
0
0%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
0
0%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
5
100%
37. How satisfied are you with the current humidity levels in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
1
20%
2
Satisfied
2
40%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
1
20%
4
Neutral
1
20%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
0
0%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
5
100%
Page 14 of 17
38. How satisfied are you with the current level of air circulation in Eagle Hall?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Very Satisfied
1
20%
2
Satisfied
4
80%
3
Somewhat Satisfied
0
0%
4
Neutral
0
0%
5
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
0
0%
6
Dissatisfied
0
0%
7
Very Dissatisfied
0
0%
Total
5
100%
39. 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.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Hot
(uncomfortable)
0
0%
2
Warm
1
20%
3
Neutral
2
40%
4
Cool
2
40%
5
Cold
(uncomfortable)
0
0%
Total
5
100%
40. If you currently experience thermal discomfort (uncomfortable), which of
the following days/times of day does this occur? Check all that apply.
#
Answer
Response
%
1
I am content with the current
thermal comfort in Eagle Hall
5
100%
2
Monday through Friday
0
0%
3
Saturday or Sunday
0
0%
4
Between 8:00 AM and Noon
0
0%
5
Between Noon and 6:00 PM
0
0%
6
Between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM
0
0%
7
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM
0
0%
Page 15 of 17
41. Does Eagle Hall’s indoor building temperature, humidity or air flow
negatively impact your job performance?
#
Answer
Response
%
1
No
5
100%
2
Yes
0
0%
Total
5
100%
42. Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your primary
work space? (Check all that apply.)
#
Answer
Response
%
1
Window blinds or
shades
2
40%
2
Portable heater
0
0%
3
Door to interior
space
1
20%
4
Portable fan
1
20%
5
Clothing (i.e.,
sweater)
5
100%
6
Turning off
equipment (i.e.,
computer, desk
lighting)
1
20%
7
None
0
0%
8
Other
0
0%
43. Please provide any other desired comments on thermal comfort in Eagle
Hall.
Text Response
No Responses
III.
Corrective Action Plan
In accordance with the LEED EQ credit 7.2 requirements, The Office of Residence Life will take action to
remedy thermal comfort settings when 20% or more of facility occupants are not satisfied with thermal comfort.
Corrective actions may include, but are not limited to, adjusting system controls such as temperature set points,
schedules, operating modes and air flow adjustments.
Page 16 of 17
During review of this corrective action plan keep in mind the level of complexity associated with design,
construction and operation of Eagle Hall. The Office of Residence Life continues to work with UW-L Facilities
Planning and Management as well as outside agency architects, engineers and construction contractors to
address design, installation and operation issues that are having an impact on occupant thermal comfort.
The survey revealed that temperature, humidity and air circulation satisfaction exceeded 80%; therefore, no
corrective action plan is necessary. The Office of Residence Life will continue to operate and maintain the
facility to assure the highest degree of satisfaction with thermal comfort.
IV.
Reporting Thermal Comfort Concerns
As stated in the survey, Eagle Hall residents or staff with specific thermal comfort concerns should report the
issue directly to their Resident Assistant, Hall Director or the Office of Residence Life at (608) 785-8075 or
reslife@uwlax.edu.
Report completed: 11/22/2013, DJS
Page 17 of 17