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Investigation of Energy Consumption of Office Spaces with Active Workstations

Author

Listed:
  • Jinhyung Park

    (Department of Smart City Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea)

  • Kwangwon Choi

    (Department of Smart City Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea)

  • Abu Talib

    (Department of Smart City Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea)

  • Jaewan Joe

    (Department of Smart City Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of an active workstation on heating and cooling energy consumption in commercial buildings. The improved performance and health of office workers are well-known and supported by several surveys and studies. However, the preferred and revised indoor air temperature for different activities of the employees, such as standing and walking, directly impacts the energy consumption of the building. Therefore, this study systematically quantifies the impact of indoor environments on building energy consumption using a simulation tool. Based on literature reviews with multidisciplinary fields, revised setpoint temperature, metabolic rate, and required outdoor air rate due to the level of active workstation (standing and walking) are applied to EnergyPlus reference building models. The impact on heating and cooling energy consumption is analyzed by considering several representative cities in the United States. Their average sensitivity was found to be 7.28% lower and 14.28% higher for heating and cooling energy, respectively. The total increment of $13,887 represents approximately 0.16% of the total profit of the corporation. This increment can be justified given the benefits to workers’ health, which include lower insurance costs and improved performance. This suggests that it is economically desirable to deploy active workstations widely.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinhyung Park & Kwangwon Choi & Abu Talib & Jaewan Joe, 2024. "Investigation of Energy Consumption of Office Spaces with Active Workstations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-12, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:3:p:660-:d:1329627
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lauren Arundell & Bronwyn Sudholz & Megan Teychenne & Jo Salmon & Brooke Hayward & Genevieve N. Healy & Anna Timperio, 2018. "The Impact of Activity Based Working (ABW) on Workplace Activity, Eating Behaviours, Productivity, and Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Gao, Yaping & Gao, Yan & Shao, Zhaonan & Ren, Yuhong, 2023. "The effects of indoor temperature and exercise behavior on thermal comfort in cold region: A field study on Xi'an, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    3. Im, Piljae & Joe, Jaewan & Bae, Yeonjin & New, Joshua R., 2020. "Empirical validation of building energy modeling for multi-zones commercial buildings in cooling season," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
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