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Comfort, Energy Efficiency and Adoption of Personal Cooling Systems in Warm Environments: A Field Experimental Study

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  • Yingdong He

    (College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Nianping Li

    (College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Xiang Wang

    (College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Meiling He

    (College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • De He

    (College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

Abstract

It is well known that personal cooling improves thermal comfort and save energy. This study aims to: (1) compare different personal cooling systems and (2) understand what influences users’ willingness to adopt them. A series of experiments on several types of personal cooling systems, which included physical measurements, questionnaires and feedback, was conducted in a real office environment. The obtained results showed that personal cooling improved comfort of participants in warm environments. Then an improved index was proposed and used to compare different types of personal cooling systems in terms of comfort and energy efficiency simultaneously. According to the improved index, desk fans were highly energy-efficient, while the hybrid personal cooling (the combination of radiant cooling desk and desk fan) consumed more energy but showed advantages of extending the comfortable temperature range. Moreover, if personal cooling was free, most participants were willing to adopt it and the effectiveness was the main factor influencing their willingness, whereas if participants had to pay, they probably refused to adopt it due to the cost and the availability of conventional air conditioners. Thus, providing effective and free personal cooling systems should be regarded as a better way for its wider application.

Suggested Citation

  • Yingdong He & Nianping Li & Xiang Wang & Meiling He & De He, 2017. "Comfort, Energy Efficiency and Adoption of Personal Cooling Systems in Warm Environments: A Field Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:11:p:1408-:d:119356
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huang, K. David & Tzeng, Sheng-Chung & Jeng, Tzer-Ming & Chiang, Wing-Ding, 2006. "Air-conditioning system of an intelligent vehicle-cabin," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(6), pages 545-557, June.
    2. Yang, Liu & Yan, Haiyan & Lam, Joseph C., 2014. "Thermal comfort and building energy consumption implications – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 164-173.
    3. Oh, Myoung Su & Ahn, Jae Hwan & Kim, Dong Woo & Jang, Dong Soo & Kim, Yongchan, 2014. "Thermal comfort and energy saving in a vehicle compartment using a localized air-conditioning system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 14-21.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heangwoo Lee & Xiaolong Zhao & Janghoo Seo, 2021. "A Study of Optimal Specifications for Light Shelves with Photovoltaic Modules to Improve Indoor Comfort and Save Building Energy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-24, March.
    2. Karin Lundgren Kownacki & Chuansi Gao & Kalev Kuklane & Aneta Wierzbicka, 2019. "Heat Stress in Indoor Environments of Scandinavian Urban Areas: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Heangwoo Lee, 2020. "A Basic Study on the Performance Evaluation of a Movable Light Shelf with a Rolling Reflector That Can Change Reflectivity to Improve the Visual Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-19, November.

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