Occupant Satisfaction with Underfloor Air Distribution Systems in a Cold Climate: A Field Study

Abstract

The demand to reduce GHG emissions and corporate rethinking of interior environments has encouraged the use of underfloor air distribution systems (UFAD). This relatively new space conditioning system is believed to provide benefits of better energy performance, improved indoor air quality, workplace flexibility, higher levels of occupant comfort and personal control. However most of the research on this technology and its relation to occupant comfort has been limited to laboratory settings and use of Fanger’s heat balance model to determine whether the system provides acceptable thermal comfort. The later fails to confirm that the conditions provided by UFAD are satisfactory to occupants in-situ. This field study of the City of Calgary’s Water Center examined UFAD in terms of occupant comfort in a cold climate. Both physical measurements and occupant response was collected. Overall the findings were very positive. Occupant responses indicated participants were generally satisfied with their comfort level and indoor air temperature. The median PMV value also indicated that the thermal conditions were within the acceptable range.