Comparing Impacts of Indoor Environmental Quality Factors on Satisfaction of Occupants with Different Genders and Ages between Office- and Home-Based Work Environments

Unpleasant indoor environmental quality (IEQ) can negatively affect occupant satisfaction and then increase the frequency of sick building syndrome. Office environments have been widely explored to improve IEQ and occupant satisfaction. However, the pandemic has changed work environments from regular offices to home-based work environments. IEQ factors could affect occupant satisfaction differently at home because home environments are mainly designed for living purposes other than working purposes. In addition, occupants with different genders and ages reported different requirements on IEQ to ensure satisfaction. The home-based work environments can be improved by evaluating how satisfaction changes when people work from home. Therefore, a survey was developed with a comprehensive list of indicators measuring IEQ factors' impact on occupant satisfaction between different work environments. The demographic analysis, analysis of means, and t-test were used to evaluate how IEQ factors affect working experience differently. The findings show that both female and male participants reported an increased satisfaction regarding the visual, thermal, acoustic, layout, and air quality of home-based work environment.