Manuscript_Preprint.docx (3.74 MB)
HVAC Energy Savings and IEQ for Occupancy-Based Control by Side-by-Side Experimental Study
preprint
posted on 2021-06-14, 21:46 authored by Meng KongMeng Kong, Bing Dong, Rongpeng Zhang, Zheng O’NeillBuilding sensing technologies have evolved rapidly in the last two
decades in aid of monitoring building environment and energy system performance.
A series of occupancy sensing systems were developed to track the occupant
behavior in the indoor space. Occupancy-based building system control is
defined as a control method that adjusts the building system operation schedules
and setpoints based on the measured occupant behavior and has been identified
as a smart building control strategy that can improve building energy
efficiency as well as occupant comfort. Some studies demonstrated energy-saving
potential and comfort-maintaining capability from occupancy-based control (OBC).
This study adopted a first-of-its-kind side-by-side experimental approach to
quantify the performance of the occupancy-based Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning
(HVAC) system control in commercial buildings. Three state-of-the-art occupancy
sensing technologies were integrated into the real-time HVAC system control in
this study. Their detection accuracy and its effectiveness
on energy-saving and thermal comfort were analyzed. It was found that the OBC
can maintain good thermal comfort and perceived indoor air quality with a satisfaction
ratio greater than 80%. Although the daily energy-saving by OBC varied with occupancy
sensor accuracy and outdoor environment conditions, the weekly averaged HVAC energy
saving was between 17-24%.
Funding
Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) DE-AR0001316
History
Email Address of Submitting Author
meng.kong@delos.comORCID of Submitting Author
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4451-6482Submitting Author's Institution
Well Living LabSubmitting Author's Country
- United States of America