Adaptation-based indoor environment control in a hot-humid area

Human thermal adaptation has received more and more attentions since 1990s as its capability to explain and predict human thermal comfort in buildings. The present study aimed to propose a new indoor environment control based on human thermal adaptation (named as adaptation-based control), and test its performance in the hot-humid area. The adaptation-based control was defined as the united control of operable windows, electric fans and air-conditioners by sensing indoor and outdoor environment parameters with an aim to creating a healthy, comfortable and energy efficient indoor environment. The adaptation-based control system was set up and the field tests were conducted in an office building in the typical summer days. The tests confirmed that all the expected targets on indoor environment were well achieved by the control system. Compared to the conventional control (air temperature set point at 26 °C), the adaptation-based control increased the indoor air temperature, mean radiant temperature, moisture content and air speed while decreased the indoor CO2 concentration. The occupants perceived the indoor environment more close to neutral in thermal and humid aspects, and the same or more comfortable and acceptable in terms of thermal environment and air quality. The sick building syndrome incidence was decreased by 40%. The daily mean energy consumption on indoor air conditioning was saved by 31% on the sunny days and by 40% on the overcast days. The adaptation-based control is strongly recommended to apply in the hot-humid area as its great advantages on human comfort and energy saving.