Abstract
Given the rise in extreme temperatures worldwide due to climate change, this paper explores whether installing a mixed-mode ventilation (MMV) system in buildings can reduce energy consumption without compromising employees’ job satisfaction, work engagement, and job performance. The MMV system combines natural ventilation with air-conditioning, switching between them as needed and operating at a higher temperature to achieve energy savings while still providing thermal comfort. A 19-week experience sampling study (Study 1) was conducted to examine the long-term effects of working under the MMV system. A field experiment (Study 2) was then conducted to document causal effects. The results show that the MMV system leads to significant energy savings compared to traditional air-conditioners (AC) and, furthermore, provide initial evidence that employees’ job satisfaction, work engagement, and job performance do not differ statistically between those working under the MMV system and those working under traditional AC.
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All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. In addition, all data, analysis codes, and materials are available on a dedicated Open Science Framework (OSF) webpage (https://osf.io/mf3cg/?view_only=c597b7a2664d4a96b32e11eff0e73c2a). Data were analyzed using Jupyter Notebook that uses Python programming language and SPSS version 29.0.0.0.
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Acknowledgements
This research is supported by the National University of Singapore Business School (Start-up grant A-00099740000), awarded to C.M.B., and National Research Foundation, Singapore, and Ministry of National Development, Singapore under its Cities of Tomorrow R&D Programme (CoT Award COT-V4-2020-5), awarded to A.C.
Funding
This research is supported by the National University of Singapore Business School (Start-up grant A-00099740000), awarded to C.M.B., and National Research Foundation, Singapore, and Ministry of National Development, Singapore under its Cities of Tomorrow R&D Programme (CoT Award COT-V4-2020-5), awarded to A.C.
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A.C., C.M.B., K.C.Y., and Y.M.Y. conceived and developed the idea. Y.M.Y., W.L., and F.X. collected the data. Y.M.Y. and W.L. performed the statistical analysis, performed the literature search, and wrote the manuscript. A.C., C.M.B., and K.C.Y. provided supervision and made edits to the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and contributed to the final manuscript. Correspondence should be addressed to Y.M.Y.
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Min Ye, Y., Liang, W., Xu, F. et al. The effects of mixed-mode ventilation on energy saving and employee job satisfaction, work engagement, and job performance. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-38812-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-38812-0
