A new paradigm improving both occupant thermal satisfaction and energy efficiency of buildings

Traditionally, HVAC and building service solutions are designed, dimensioned, and operated utilizing more or less fixed indoor air temperature levels. A new HTM Control concept challenges this conventional approach by... [ view full abstract ]

Traditionally, HVAC and building service solutions are designed, dimensioned, and operated utilizing more or less fixed indoor air temperature levels. A new HTM Control concept challenges this conventional approach by adjusting indoor temperature set-point values according to individual thermal expectations.

The HTM Control concept is based on (i) on-line monitoring of relevant space and occupant parameters, (ii) estimating thermal sensation index values of each occupant utilizing a sophisticated software (Human Thermal Model, HTM), and (iii) adjusting well-argued temperature set-point values for each space.

This new control and service paradigm has been field tested in one office building and two hospitals. From technological point of view, both data communication (i.e., reading temperature and writing demand-based control signals) and on-line calculation routines have been successfully tested. Also thermal experience feedback from the test persons look promising, but this data is limited to the three test buildings and one heating season only.In the future, the HTM Control concept need to be tested in buildings with different building service, construction, and building automation solutions. In addition, more field testing during different seasons and climatic conditions is needed prior to utilize the new service paradigm for improving occupant thermal satisfaction and energy efficiency of buildings (by avoiding unnecessary heating and cooling).