Energy-saving strategies with personalized ventilation in cold climates

In this study the influence of the personalized supply air temperature control strategy on energy consumption and the energy-saving potentials of a personalized ventilation system have been investigated by means of simulations with IDA-ICE software. GenOpt software was used to determine the optimal supply air temperature.

The simulated office room was located in a cold climate. The results reveal that the supply air temperature control strategy has a marked influence on energy consumption. The energy consumption with personalized ventilation may increase substantially (in the range: 61–268%) compared to mixing ventilation alone if energy-saving strategies are not applied.

The results show that the best supply air temperature control strategy is to provide air constantly at 20 °C. The most effective way of saving energy with personalized ventilation is to extend the upper room operative temperature limit (saving up to 60% compared to the reference case). However, this energy-saving strategy can be recommended only in a working environment where the occupants spend most of their time at their workstation.

Reducing the airflow rate does not always imply a reduction of energy consumption. Supplying the personalized air only when the occupant is at the desk is not an effective energy-saving strategy.