THERMAL SENSATION AND ACCEPTANCE IN A DEDICATED OUTDOOR AIR SYSTEM WITH CEILING FANS (DOAS-CF)

Abstract

Countries with tropical climates tend to have high demand for building cooling systems in buildings. This, however, results in high building energy consumption and costs. Therefore, in an attempt to reduce building energy costs and promote sustainability, alternative methods of cooling have been explored and one of them is the Dedicated Outdoor Air System augmented with Ceiling Fans (DOAS-CF). Having countless experiments done before its implementation, more can be done to prove the effectiveness of this system.

Transient Thermal Sensation is a subset of thermal sensation that is often neglected during studies although it is also experienced daily, when people transit from the outdoors to indoors. This study, therefore, aims to find out if the DOAS-CF provides optimal conditions for all its users in transient state.

120 survey responses were collected for this test. Participants were not restricted in their attire and are classified into three groups, according to their places of origin, which is a representation of their metabolic rates. Conditions provided by the DOAS-CF is 26°C with air movement.

Difference in the thermal sensation felt on sunny and rainy days by those who came from another part of NUS showed to be statistically important. No notable variance was found in the perception of thermal sensation, satisfaction and preference across the three groups of participants.

Further research can be done on this study with larger sample sizes and stricter supervision. This study can aid in the improvement of the DOAS-CF for future use and removing transient heat.

Keywords: Transient thermal sensation, Thermal sensation, Thermal Satisfaction, Metabolic rate, DOAS-CF