Energy savings in buildings using fans and allowing floating temperatures in rooms

Typescript (photocopy).The purpose of this research was to determine if building loads could be reduced by using an intelligent controller rather than a thermostatic controller to operate heating and air conditioning equipment. In order to switch the equipment on or off at the proper times, the intelligent controller used a mathematical procedure to determine the percentage of people who would be comfortable in rooms. The dependent variable analyzed was building load; and the three independent variables were building type, controller type, and climate. Energy and cost savings were simulated in seven buildings in each of nine cities which were located predominately in warm climates. Since previous research has shown that fans provide additional comfort during warm periods, the building simulations with the intelligent controllers included both fan on and fan off conditions. Statistical analyses of the data for the building simulations indicated with very high confidence that the intelligent controllers saved energy in all buildings and in all climates. The least savings occurred in the coldest climates, while the greatest savings were in the warmest climates. The annual energy cost savings ranged from 4 to 37 percent for residences and from 6 to 29 percent for offices. The findings suggest that the intelligent controllers should be considered for buildings in cities where computer simulations show significant present value savings