Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyse the human response to the indoor climate with two individually controlled convective and radiant cooling systems: a low velocity unit combined with radiant panel system (LVRP) and a personalized ventilation system combined with a radiant panel system (PVRP). As a reference system without individual control, diffuse ceiling ventilation combined with a radiant panel system (DCV-RP) was also studied. In laboratory conditions, 10 males and 10 females gave subjective response to the indoor climate during various office activities. The results show that with the reference DCV-RP system, the indoor conditions were worse than with the LVRP and PVRP systems. The thermal sensation and perceived air quality with the PVRP system was better than the LVRP system. After a medium activity task, the thermal acceptability reverts faster with the PVRP than LVRP system. Compared with the PVRP system, the subjects preferred the higher airflow rate at the workstation with the LVRP system. Males preferred a higher airflow rate than females under the same conditions with both micro-environment systems. This research found that there was significant variation in the control preferences of the human subjects concerning the micro-environment, and this emphasizes the need for personalized control to ensure that all occupants are satisfied with the indoor conditions.
Highlights
The indoor climate has a significant impact on occupant satisfaction, wellbeing, and health [1]
It should be noted that providing individual control has both a physiological and psychological impact resulting in increased satisfaction with the indoor climate
With the LVRP, the mean airflow rate chosen by the female and the male subjects increased by 0.9 l/s and 1.6 l/s, respectively, from the first period to the second one
Summary
The indoor climate has a significant impact on occupant satisfaction, wellbeing, and health [1]. It should be noted that providing individual control has both a physiological and psychological impact resulting in increased satisfaction with the indoor climate. Studies in USA offices showed that providing a task/ambient conditioning (TAC) system providing control of the ventilation and temperature increased the occupants’ overall satisfaction with the thermal quality [2]. Another study reported by Zhang et al [3] revealed that it was more important for occupants to be able to control their local environment even if they did not necessarily utilize the functionality. The activity level of workers and the indoor conditions varies during the day. These dynamic variations of the conditions can affect the occupants’ comfort and performance
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