Thermal sensation and comfort with different task conditioning systems

Subjective experiments with task conditioning systems, 3DU(+), PEM, TU, and RCU were conducted to investigate the effect of three different types of Task air-conditioning systems on thermal comfort in a climate chamber. The chamber was conditioned at 28 degrees C/50%RH with task systems and 26 degrees C/50%RH without them. Under the condition with the task conditioning systems, the average rating of comfort sensation was between comfortable (0) and slightly uncomfortable (-1). For males it was between -0.5 and -0.7 and for females between -0.3 and -0.4. This was equal to or even better than that in condition without task system. It was found that these systems were effective in providing thermal comfort. The parts to which subjects wanted to diffuse air were different for each system. However, the individual control of task conditioning system contributed to create the preferred environment. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.