Personalized HVAC control system

Abstract

We present a novel method of building comfort control, focused around the occupant. Custom sensing, communication, and actuation hardware were developed to locate users in a building, and measure various parameters directly on the body. These signals were used to infer user comfort and control the air-conditioning system to direct air flow where it was needed, when it was needed. A three month study of the system was conducted, with four weeks of this experimental control strategy compared to the previous four weeks of standard control. An improvement in both comfort and energy usage are shown as a result of this user-centric control system.