Effects of different zoning thermostat controls on thermal comfort and cooling energy consumption in reading rooms of a library

Wang Haiying, Zhang Fengming, Li Jiankai, Meng Hang and Lin Huxiang

Energy, 2024, vol. 292, issue C

Abstract: This study assessed thermal comfort and energy consumption in indoor environments controlled by air or operative temperature. Reading rooms in a library were divided into several zones based on the distribution of operative temperature. Using air temperature of the inner zone in thermostat control yielded the lowest energy consumption but the poorest thermal comfort level. Conversely, using operative temperature of the least favorable exterior zone resulted in higher energy consumption and comfort levels. The suggested optimal control based on switching boundary temperature minimized energy consumption while satisfying the thermal comfort requirement. The switching boundary temperature range on the top floor is 0.7 °C lower than on the middle floor due to the influence of the roof. The thermostat control modes had similar effects on the east and west reading rooms. The switching boundary temperature ranges of north room was 2.0 °C higher than those of the south room. Zoning control using air temperature control in the inner zone and operative temperature control in the exterior zone was recommended as a much simple mode to keep thermal comfort with low energy use. This study provides insights about the use of operative temperature in zoning thermostat control and theoretical guidance for practical implementation.

Keywords: Operative temperature; Air temperature; Thermal comfort; Energy consumption; Thermal environment; Thermostat control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:292:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224002780

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130507

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