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Effect of neutral temperature on energy saving of centralized air-conditioning systems in subtropical Hong Kong

    Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

    Abstract

    Higher room temperature can still let the occupants have a neutral thermal sensation if higher air speed is provided. With a suitable scheme of neutral temperature and comfort air speed, reduction of energy consumption of the central chiller plant may surpass the additional energy requirement of the air side equipment, then both energy saving and thermal comfort can be achieved for the entire air-conditioning system. To evaluate this, the energy consumptions of a centralized air-conditioning system using the common air side alternatives were studied for the subtropical Hong Kong. The alternatives are variable air volume (VAV) system, constant air volume (CAV) system and fan coil (FC) system. Each of them was associated to a central chiller plant to serve a high-rise office building. The studying range of the room air temperature was from 23 °C to 30 °C. It is found that the VAV and FC systems can provide both thermal comfort and energy saving for higher room temperature, but CAV system is not feasible when the room air temperature is above 27 °C. If the indoor air speed threshold is considered, the neutral temperature can be brought up to 26.5 °C, and the energy saving potentials of VAV and FC systems would be 12.9% and 9.3% respectively. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1659-1665
    JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
    Volume30
    Issue number13
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
      SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    Research Keywords

    • Air-conditioning
    • Comfort air speed
    • Energy saving
    • Neutral temperature
    • Thermal comfort

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