Volume 4: Innovative Solutions for Energy Transitions: Part III

A Study of Productivity Loss with the Korean Indoor Temperature Standard in Summer Hakpyeong Kim, Jimin Kim, Taehoon Hong

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of an over-estimated cooling set-point temperature (28°C) on work productivity in Korea’s public buildings during the summer season. Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment aimed at measuring work performance through typing and cognitive tests and detecting work stress using an electroencephalogram at 28°C. The second experiment was conducted at 24°C with the same contents as the first. The results showed that a cooling set-point temperature of “28°C” brings benefits in terms of energy consumption, but it drops work performance, thereby having an adverse effect on overall productivity.

Keywords Indoor temperature, work stress, work performance, electroencephalogram, cognitive task