Investigation on thermal comfort and energy conservation of local ventilation

This study evaluates the effect of temperature on thermal comfort and energy conservation by utilizing the previously used local ventilation air-conditioning mode. Three room temperatures (26°C, 28°C, 30°C (78.8°F, 82.4°F, 86°F)) and three LV temperatures (20°C, 26°C, 28°C (68°F, 78.8°F, 82.4°F)) were used. Eighteen subjects participated in the subjective experiment where they reported thermal sensation and thermal comfort. In addition, the energy consumption of a cooling system was calculated. The conditions of 26°Crt and 20°Clv (78.8°Frt and 68°Flv) (the room temperature of 26°C (78.8°F) combined with the LV temperature of 20°C (68°F)) and 30°Crt and 26°Clv (86°Frt and 78.8°Flv) were found to be in the comfortable range. The relationship between the thermal comfort improvement and energy conservation was indicated. The condition of 28°Crt and 26°Clv (82.4°Frt and 78.8°Flv) was assessed to be the most comfortable environment with moderate energy consumption. Compared with the traditional air conditioning mode, which creates a uniform environment by setting the room temperature to be 24°C (75.2°F), the utilization of LV could increase the comfortable room temperature to 30°C (86°F) and consume 24% less energy.

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