Abstract
This study presents the optimization of a novel conductive-radiative Personalized Environmental Control System (PECS) in the form of a heated desk, designed to improve ergonomics and reduce energy consumption. Building on previous prototypes, the desk maintains localized comfort in ambient temperatures as low as 17°C, with enhanced user control of upper and lower heating surfaces. Three configurations of desk heating surfaces were tested using a thermal manikin in a climatic chamber, evaluating heat loss and heating effects (HE – quantifies how much a PECS can correct the room temperature to recreate the neutral sensation, unit in K). The most ergonomic and energy-efficient configuration, Desk B, features a large lower heating surface and a smaller upper surface, providing localized warmth without risking damaging sensitive desk equipment. Key findings show that Desk B consumed 69-82% less energy than previous PECS models (Rugani et al., 2023), with power consumption ranging from 31-52 W, compared to 170 W in earlier prototypes. The average Heating Effect (HE) ranged from 1 to 1.5 K across all configurations, with localized HE values reaching 2.5 to 4 K in target areas like hands, forearms, and thighs. A peak of 9.7 K was recorded when direct hand contact with the heating surface occurred, demonstrating effective heat localization at reduced energy consumption levels. This optimized PECS demonstrates significant potential for energy-efficient, personalized heating solutions in office environments.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - Nov 2024 |
Event | Comfort at the extremes 2024 - University of Seville, Seville, Spain Duration: 20 Nov 2024 → … https://cate2024.org/ |
Conference
Conference | Comfort at the extremes 2024 |
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Abbreviated title | CATE24 |
Country/Territory | Spain |
City | Seville |
Period | 20/11/24 → … |
Internet address |