Developing HVAC System Terminal Units Control Sequence Utilizing Game Theory Rules

Abstract

Abstract Human thermal comfort depends on multiple factors such as temperature, humidity ratio, air velocity, metabolism etc. Two of the most important of these parameters that are being controlled simultaneously via air conditioning system in spaces are temperature and humidity ratio. Achieving thermal comfort in multi-occupancy spaces occupied with people with different levels of acceptable thermal comfort not only can help creating more desirable experience for majority of the occupants in these spaces, but also can save energy by optimizing the operation of the air conditioning system and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption when there is no need for controlling temperature and humidity at pre-selected values. Meanwhile, research shows current measures of thermal comfort are at best 30–40% accurate, since they have been developed decades ago and based on the desired references of a specific group of people in that time. Space control algorithms that are generally written to hold temperature and humidity ratio based on a typical human response to parameters affecting thermal comfort should be customized to provide the optimum comfort level for people with different thermal comfort preferences occupying the same offices or spaces. Such optimization can be achieved via utilizing rules of game theory — which is a strategic method of decision making among competing or cooperating decision makers — to help finding the best combination of the temperature and humidity ratio. This helps to create thermal comfort for different combinations of occupants in the space with different thermal comfort preference. This work represents a new way of writing sequence of controls for air handling units, to maximize thermal comfort of all the occupants and at the same time creates opportunity for saving energy by avoiding single set-point for delivering air temperature and humidity ratio.