Energy efficiency – Climate adaption through adaptive comfort algorithms: energy consumption, global warming and fuel poverty implications
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems represent one of the highest consumptions in buildings. They are traditionally based on fixed setpoint temperatures disregarding outdoor conditions. Considering the global tendency towards reducing energy consumption, the use of natural ventilation coupled with HVAC systems is frequently proposed. However, there is difficult to predict adaptive energy demand and consumption considering global warming. This research focuses on the quantification of applying an adaptive comfort control mode in buildings, which consists in using daily setpoint temperatures based on the adaptive thermal comfort approach, in both present and future scenarios. The application of this climate adaption initiative tends to reduce GHG emissions and alleviates the risk of fuel poverty.