Analyzing energy consumption, IAQ, and thermal comfort conditions under three different strategies of personalized ventilation

Abstract

The ability of personalized ventilation as an energy- efficient system, in providing an acceptable indoor environment was analyzed in a modeled office building. For this purpose, three criteria including thermal sensation/comfort, air quality, and energy saving were investigated. Based on thermal sensitivities and preferences differences between various body segments, three placements of inlet diffuser were considered as three different cooling strategies (head cooling, abdomen cooling, and foot cooling). The results showed that head cooling could be considered the most effective cooling approach in the personalized ventilation system, providing the best indoor air quality and thermal comfort, in addition to having most reduction of energy consumption. Also, using the return air caused an energy reduction of up to 40%.