Effect of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on the comfort of building occupants in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: There is continual argument about the potential negative impacts that poor indoor environmental quality can have on the wellbeing and comfort of occupants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of indoor environmental quality on the comfort of occupants of social mass housing projects in South Africa. The study was conducted in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) where low-salary earners mostly reside in South Africa. The descriptive survey research method was adopted and the questionnaire used for the study was targeted at occupants of low-salary housing units in South Africa. The convenience sampling technique was employed for the study. The methods of data analysis basically include percentages and mean item scores. The results of the study indicate that furnishing, quality of air and thermal comfort on the fourth floor does not give occupants satisfactory comfort. The thermal comfort on the third floor is also unsatisfactory..