Addressing personalized thermal comfort in residential settings: A novel dual-supply vent air conditioner

Abstract

A new approach was proposed for meeting diverse thermal comfort demands of different occupants by using a dual-supply vent air conditioner with independent control of the air supply parameters at each vent to establish distinct thermal environments. The feasibility of this method was tested in a living room environment, and numerical simulation was conducted to explore the differences in thermal environment at various locations under different air supply temperatures, velocities, directions, and vent positions. The results indicated that, within the targeted air supply zone, the maximum temperature difference could reach around 2.5 °C. Considering the Cooling Effect of air velocity, the maximum Equivalent Temperature difference was around 4.5 °C, which could address the differences in common personalized thermal comfort preference. Utilizing the differential air supply velocities of different vents was an effective means of achieving diverse thermal environments, although attention should be paid to local thermal discomfort caused by drafts. This approach may offer a new perspective in addressing the differing thermal comfort preferences among occupants within the same residential room, additionally providing innovative insights for improving traditional air conditioning systems.