Indoor Thermal Comfort Controller Integrating Human Interaction in the Control-Loop as a Live Component

Abstract

This research integrates the human component as a living part of the control loop, using preferences to optimise energy consumption. This paper presents an outline of a temperature controller, which is based on the theory of thermal comfort and uses fuzzy logic to optimise comfort and reduce energy consumption. The controller allows multiple-inputs, from more than one single user to set a temperature-setpoint. The control-logic was developed in MATLAB using the Simulink tool in the simulations, energy use is optimized, reducing energy consumption between 22 and 31%. The controller was tested in an office to improve the average thermal sensation of the participants between 14 and 17%. In future works increase the sample size and evaluate the non-energy impacts of the energy efficiency on thermal comfort.