The Importance of Human Productivity to Air-Conditioning Control in Office Environments

• Published in: HVAC&R research Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 3 - 21
• Main Authors: Tse, W. L., So, Albert T.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta Taylor & Francis Group 01-01-2007; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• ISSN: 1078-9669; 2374-4731; 1938-5587; 2374-474X
• DOI: 10.1080/10789669.2007.10390941

In this paper, the importance of human productivity to air-conditioning control in office environments is discussed. A case study was conducted to compare the performance of two control methods-conventional setpoint control and predicted-mean-vote-based (PMV-based) control-in an office environment. The comparison was based on three factors-human comfort, energy consumption, and human productivity. The setpoint control was only concerned with the first two factors, while the PMV control considered human productivity as well. Computer simulation techniques were employed to obtain the thermal environments created by the two control methods. The simulation results led to comparison of human comfort and energy consumption. For human productivity, a financial analysis was developed. The financial loss due to reduction in productivity under the simulated environment was estimated. More financial loss represented poorer performance in productivity. It was found that the conventional control caused significant reduction in human productivity even when an acceptable thermal comfort level was achieved. Severe financial loss resulted, accounting for a 9% drop in net profit. On the other hand, the PMV control performed well for both human comfort and human productivity. Only a 0.4% profit drop was observed that compensated the extra energy consumption. Much better overall performance was yielded. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to consider human productivity in the design of future air-conditioning control as well as human comfort and energy consumption.