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Title: Potential energy savings using comfort-index controls for building heating and cooling systems. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6972565

Significant energy savings are possible through the use of thermal comfort index controls of building heating and cooling systems. In order to study the potential energy saving by comfort index controls, Fanger's Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted PerCent Dissatisfied (PPD) indices have been incorporated into NBSLD (National Bureau of Standards Heating and Cooling Load Calculation Program) to determine hourly profiles of indoor thermal comfort conditions under various operating conditions which allow inside control points to vary. Discussed in this paper are the potential applications of this computer program (NBSPMV) for the evaluation of selected energy conservation options, from the standpoint of indoor habitability and energy conservation. These options include increased temperature deadband, natural cooling, nighttime thermostat setback, passive solar heating, evaporative cooling, temperature ramp controls, intermittent heating and cooling, and programmed heating and cooling.

Research Organization:
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
6972565
Report Number(s):
PB-80-144181
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English