Understanding the trade-offs between thermal comfort and energy consumption in air-conditioned office spaces in India

This study aims to establish a correlation between thermal comfort and energy consumption for typical office buildings in India. Building envelope characteristics are varied to represent local energy code compliant case. Regression analysis is used to derive the aforementioned correlation using energy consumption and thermal comfort indices from the simulation output. The results from this study will assist designers to understand the energy implications of improving thermal comfort, both in terms of comfort hours as well as PMV. This paper is also aimed at supporting some of the field observations from post-occupancy surveys currently being done in India that indicate a preference of temperatures higher than what conventional practice dictates and make the case for more responsible control of indoor environments.