Title: Study on the effect of preference of air-conditioning usage on the exergy consumption pattern within a built environment

Authors: Marcel Schweiker; Masanori Shukuya

Addresses: Building Science Group, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Englerstr 7 Room 235, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany ' Laboratory for Built Environmental Research, Tokyo City University, Ushikubo-Nishi 3-3-1, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama 224–8551, Japan

Abstract: According to previous work, preference is one major factor influencing occupants' behaviour. This paper aims at identifying the magnitude preference on the exergy consumption pattern within a built environment. The comparison is made between one group claiming to like sleeping in air-conditioned spaces and the other claiming to dislike it. In conclusion, the exergy analysis showed that at the individual level, preference accounts for an exergy consumption rate up to 15% higher and that, at the community level, the exergy consumption rate of those preferring the AC-unit use is up to four times higher than that of the others'.

Keywords: exergy consumption patterns; field measurements; occupant behaviour; occupant preference; logistics analysis; air conditioning usage; built environment; exergy analysis; air conditioning units; buildings.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2012.050253

International Journal of Exergy, 2012 Vol.11 No.4, pp.409 - 422

Published online: 13 Nov 2012 *

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