Impact of environmental factors on personal comfort system’s performance

Graduate School of Environmental and Information Studies, Tokyo City University, Yokohama, Japan

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Abstract

Personal comfort systems (PCS) offer energy-efficient solutions for improving thermal comfort by targeting individual needs rather than conditioning entire spaces. This study systematically evaluates how environmental factors such as air temperature, humidity, and air velocity affect PCS performance in both heating and cooling modes. Analyzing data from 64 studies, we found that PCS are most effective in extreme climates, significantly enhancing thermal sensation and overall comfort in cold & dry and hot & humid conditions, while milder climates show smaller improvements. Higher air velocity of PCS can provide more comfort in cooling mode at higher ambient temperatures. Regression analysis revealed significant correlations between air velocity and comfort, suggesting that air velocity also plays a dominant role in PCS effectiveness. These findings highlight the importance of PCS optimization and integration in extreme climates to maximize occupant comfort while reducing HVAC energy consumption. Future research should focus on optimizing PCS for specific environmental conditions and integrating user-controlled adaptive strategies.