5 December 2024, Webinar – Personalized Environmental Control System (PECS) in Action: Insights from Case Studies

Personal Environmental Control System (PECS) with the functions of heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and acoustic has advantages of controlling the localized environment at occupant’s workstation by their preference instead of conditioning an entire room. This improves personal comfort, health and energy efficiency of the entire heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system substantially. Personalized ventilation will also provide improved protection against cross contaminations, which are critical in open plan offices and workplaces with close distance.

English

Introduction to IEA EBC Annex 87

Personalized Environmental Control Systems (PECS) have advantages of controlling the localized environment at occupants’ workstation by their preference instead of conditioning an entire room. A new IEA EBC Annex (Annex 87 - Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Performance of Personalised Environmental Control Systems) has recently started to establish design criteria and operation guidelines for PECS and to quantify their benefits. This topical session will provide an introduction to the objective/scope, activities, and intended outputs of the annex.

Past and Recent Developments of Personalized Environmental Control Systems

Personalized Environmental Control Systems (PECS) condition the immediate surroundings of occupants, and they are expected to provide increased comfort, health, and productivity. Studies have reported on their benefits and limitations in addressing individual Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) factors, especially in terms of thermal comfort and indoor air quality. The COVID-19 pandemic and risks associated to climate change, such as heat waves, highlight the necessity for PECS that can address multiple IEQ factors.

Advantages and limitations of Personalized Environmental Control Systems (PECS)

Personalized Environmental Control Systems (PECS) with the functions of heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and acoustics have the advantage of controlling the localized environment at occupant’s workstation by their preference instead of conditioning an entire space. This improves personal comfort, health of the occupants, and energy efficiency of the entire heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system substantially. Some of the major advantages and limitations of PECS are summarized. 

Introduction to IEA EBC Annex 87

Personalized Environmental Control Systems (PECS) have advantages of controlling the localized environment at occupants’ workstation by their preference instead of conditioning an entire room. A new IEA EBC Annex (Annex 87 - Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Performance of Personalised Environmental Control Systems) has recently started to establish design criteria and operation guidelines for PECS and to quantify their benefits. This topical session will provide an introduction to the objective/scope, activities, and intended outputs of the annex.