Assessment of Adaptive Thermal Algorithm in Office Buildings

Being the largest energy consumer, building sector represents a major stake for the actualenvironmental concerns. So far, building thermal comfort standards are based on static models thatdont account for the interaction between occupants and their living places. The adaptive approach of the thermal comfort has the advantage to be more comprehensive and realistic, and its application would result in energy saving in buildings. Recently, an Adaptive Control Algorithm ACA and an Adaptive Comfort Standard ACS have been developed on the adaptive approach. We propose in this study to assess the adaptive algorithms ACA and ACS through a field study that has been carried in four naturally ventilated and three climatically controlled office buildings located in France during summer and winter conditions. In the paper, we present a description of the experimental method and the buildings followed by the description of indoor environments. The neutral temperatures are determined, for various seasons in both types of buildings. The results are analysed and then compared to the requirements of current thermal standards showing their limits. Finally, the adaptive algorithms are assessed showing its validation in the case studies.